Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in older adults

• Published in: Diabetes & metabolism journal Vol. 36; no. 5; pp. 336 - 344
• Main Authors: Kim, Kyung Soo, Kim, Soo Kyung, Sung, Kyung Mi, Cho, Yong Wook, Park, Seok Won
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Diabetes Association 01.10.2012; 대한당뇨병학회
• Subjects: Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Elderly diabetes; Geriatric syndrome; Review; Sarcopenia; 내과학; Sarcopenia; Elderly diabetes; Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Geriatric syndrome
• ISSN: 2233-6079; 2233-6087
• DOI: 10.4093/dmj.2012.36.5.336

In the near future, the majority of patients with diabetes will be adults aged 65 or older. Unlike young adults with diabetes, elderly diabetic people may be affected by a variety of comorbid conditions such as depression, cognitive impairment, muscle weakness (sarcopenia), falls and fractures, and physical frailty. These geriatric syndromes should be considered in the establishment of treatment goals in older adults with diabetes. Although there are several guidelines for the management of diabetes, only a few are specifically designed for the elderly with diabetes. In this review, we present specific conditions of elderly diabetes which should be taken into account in the management of diabetes in older adults. We also present advantages and disadvantages of various glucose-lowering agents that should be considered when choosing a proper regimen for older adults with diabetes.