Syndemic effects of social isolation on mental health, health behaviours and diabetes management in older adults with diabetes: a gender-based cross-sectional study in South Korea

Objectives To examine the associations between social isolation (SI) and mental health, health behaviours and diabetes management among older adults with diabetes in South Korea, focusing on gender-specific syndemic patterns. Outcome measures Mental health (depressive symptoms, perceived stress), health behaviours (smoking, high-risk drinking, physical activity) and diabetes management (medication use, complication screening, diabetes education) were assessed.

Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted associations between SI and study outcomes. Results SI was more prevalent among women (33.6%) than among men (14.1%).

In men, SI was associated with depressive symptoms (aOR=1.60, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.18, p=0.003), smoking (aOR=1.51, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.82, p<0.001), high-risk drinking (aOR=1.76, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.28, p<0.001) and lower diabetes education participation (aOR=0.80, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.99, p=0.031).