Current status and factors associated with social frailty in older adults with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the current situation of social frailty among older adults with type 2 diabetes, and to analyze the associated factors, in order to provide a scientific basis for the clinical formulation of precise nursing intervention measures. METHODS: From February to May 2026, a convenience sample of 334 older adults with type 2 diabetes admitted to the Endocrinology Department of a Grade A Level III hospital in Shandong Province was selected as the study subjects. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the HALFT, GDS-5, AIS, and APGAR scales. SPSS 26.0 was used to perform descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, Spearman's correlation analysis, and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of social frailty among older adults with type 2 diabetes was 26.3%. Univariate analysis revealed that age, educational level, marital status, monthly household income, residence, living alone, employment status, medical payment method, fall in the past year, diabetic complications, diabetic comorbidities, number of medications, physical frailty, exercise frequency, depression, sleep, and level of family support were significantly associated with social frailty (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that social frailty was positively correlated with depression and sleep, and negatively correlated with the level of family support (p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis indicated that age 70-79 years, age ≥80 years, living alone, unemployment, physical frailty, and depression were statistically significantly associated with social frailty (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Social frailty among older adults with type 2 diabetes is at a moderately high level. Advanced age, living alone, unemployment, depression, and physical frailty are factors associated to social frailty. Healthcare providers should conduct early screening and implement personalized interventions for high-risk individuals to improve patients' social functioning, support glycemic control, and promote healthy aging.