Abstract

Objective: Given limited evidence that routine check-ups improves quality of life, the purpose of this study is to assess whether general health differs by routine check-up in diabetic, middle-aged females in the general population. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis used 2016 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for diabetic females ages 45-65 from Alabama (N=370), Georgia (N=256), Kentucky (N=485), Mississippi (N=275), and West Virginia (N=268). The relationship between general health and routine check-ups was assessed separately by state using multiple logistic regression analysis while controlling for comorbid health conditions, weight status, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use, age, ethnicity, educational level, income level and employment status. Results: Across states, about half of diabetic females reported fair or poor general health (50-53%), while most reported having a routine check-up within the past year (90-93%). Adjusted analysis indicated that general health was not significantly related to routine check-up but was inversely related to having diabetes plus two or more health conditions and positively related to physical activity. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that general health was not related to routine check-up in diabetic middle-aged females in the general population. However, general health showed strong inverse relations with multiple health conditions and a moderate positive relation with physical activity. Therefore, with diabetic, middle-aged females, practitioners should automatically screen for and optimize care of additional health conditions and encourage physical activity in order to improve general health in these patients.

Keywords: Diabetes; General Health; Routine check-up; BRFSS; Multiple health conditions; Physical activity