Cardiometabolic Diseases and Mental Health Disorders in Korean Adults with Disabilities: A 3-Year Retrospective Analysis and Risk Comparison.

Abstract

Introduction: Evidence suggests that adults with disabilities are more prone to cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) and mental health disorders (MHD). However, most studies have focused on single conditions or small-scale samples. This study aimed to investigate the risk and prevalence of multiple cardiometabolic and mental health conditions in Korean adults with disabilities and compare them with non-disabled adults.

Methods: This retrospective study utilized nationally representative data from the Korea Health Panel Survey (KHPS), spanning the years 2019 to 2021. A total of 32,166 adults, including 2356 adults with disabilities, were analyzed. CMD included hypertension, diabetes, and obesity; MHD included stress, anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation. Multivariable-adjusted regression models were employed to determine factors associated with and the risk of CMD and MHD in adults with disabilities.

Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, stress, depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation was 51.7%, 27.2%, 33.9%, 26.6%, 12.0%, 8.9%, and 8.7%, respectively. Adults with disabilities exhibited an increased risk of hypertension (OR: 1.24), diabetes (OR: 1.52), obesity (OR: 1.25), stress (OR: 1.21), depression (OR: 1.75), anxiety (OR: 1.91), and suicide ideation (OR: 1.73) compared to non-disabled adults. Being female, increased age, unemployment, overweight/obesity, urban residency, physical inactivity, and alcohol intake were significant factors associated with the risk of CMD and MHD.

Conclusions: Adults with disabilities exhibit a higher prevalence and increased risk of CMD and MHD. Gender-specific interventions, including personalized nutrition, lifestyle plans, and tailored mental health services, are essential to mitigate these risks in this vulnerable population.