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

Abstract

Evidence suggests that adults with disabilities are more prone to cardiometabolic diseases and mental health disorders. 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 those in nondisabled adults. This retrospective study utilized nationally representative data from the Korea Health Panel Survey, spanning the years 2019 to 2021. A total of 32,166 adults, including 2,356 adults with disabilities, were analyzed. Cardiometabolic diseases included hypertension, diabetes, and obesity; mental health disorders included stress, anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation. Multivariable-adjusted regression models were employed to determine the factors associated with and the risk of cardiometabolic diseases and mental health disorders in adults with disabilities. 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 with nondisabled adults. Being female, increased age, unemployment, overweight/obesity, urban residency, physical inactivity, and alcohol intake were significant factors associated with the risk of cardiometabolic diseases and mental health disorders. Adults with disabilities exhibit a higher prevalence and increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases and mental health disorders. Sex-specific interventions, including personalized nutrition, lifestyle plans, and tailored mental health services, are essential to mitigate these risks in this vulnerable population.