Profile of disabilities and their associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes evaluated by the Canadian occupational performance measure: the Rio De Janeiro type 2 diabetes cohort study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the profile of disability in patients with type 2 diabetes and to evaluate its associated variables.

METHOD: The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) assessed disabilities in 475 type 2 diabetic individuals. The activities were categorised by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to evaluate pain, emotional and physical functioning domains of life-quality. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the independent correlates of better/worse performance.

RESULTS

Median COPM score was 4.5 (interquartile range 3-6). Problems in mobility (53.6%), self-care (21.1%) and daily-life (13.0%) were most frequently self-reported. Presence of restriction/pain in the upper limbs (odds ratio [OR]: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.11-2.47; p=0.013) and of peripheral neuropathy (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.06-2.53; p=0.026) were associated with greater chance of worse performance. Higher values of SF-36 in pain and emotional domains (each 10 point increase; OR: 0.92 95% CI: 0.85-0.98; p=0.011; OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.92-1.00; p=0.063, respectively) and physical activity (OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.41-0.98; p=0.042) were associated with better performance.

CONCLUSIONS

Type 2 diabetic patients frequently reported disabilities in mobility, self-care and daily-life domains; and its associated factors were the presence of depression, upper limb pain and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Implications for Rehabilitation The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) instrument can be applied to patients with diabetes, as it identifies several disabilities, mostly in mobility, self-care and domestic life areas. Rehabilitation directed to upper limb pain/limitation and to lower limb peripheral neuropathy shall be implemented and may improve diabetic patients' performance and quality of life. A patient-centered rehabilitation strategy, guided by the COPM, may enable greater independence and autonomy, but this should be confirmed in future intervention studies.