Tablet and insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes in the elderly.
There are a range of therapeutic options available for the management of type 2 diabetes in the elderly. Diet remains the mainstay of treatment although this must be realistic. If diet alone is unsuccessful then, for most patients, short-acting sulphonylurea agents are the treatment of choice. Second line agents include the biguanide, metformin, or an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor. A significant proportion of type 2 diabetic patients will, however, eventually require insulin to alleviate symptoms of poor control and improve glycaemia. In this article I discuss the therapeutic options available for diabetic management in the elderly, with particular emphasis on the pros and cons of insulin treatment.
Diabetic Medicine, Undergraduate Centre, University of Birmingham, UK.
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Barnett
D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007267:Injections; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D013607:Tablets
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D013607:Tablets