Comorbid conditions and glycemic control in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 1988 to 1994 to 1999 to 2004.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the U.S. elderly population between 1988 to 1994 and 1999 to 2004 and to assess glycemic control and comorbid conditions in this population.


METHODS
Serial U.S. population-based cross-sectional surveys.


METHODS
National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1988-1994 and 1999-2004).


METHODS
Survey participants aged 65 and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Glycemic control, measured as hemoglobin A1C (hA1C) less than 7%, prevalence of comorbid conditions, pharmacologic treatment rate, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol.


RESULTS
The prevalence of diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus in the U.S. elderly population increased from 12.0% to 14.1% (P=.004) between 1988 and 2004. Many patients had comorbid conditions; in 1999 to 2004, 36.7% had nephropathy, 31.5% renal insufficiency, 20.2% history of myocardial infarction, and 17.9% heart failure. The proportion of patients treated with antihyperglycemic medication increased from 75.1% in 1988 to 1994 to 85.6% in 1999 to 2004 (P<.001), and glycemic control rates also improved, from 44.7% to 54.8% (P<.001). Greater improvement in glycemic control rates was evident in patients without comorbidities (P<.001). Adjusted for patient characteristics, including duration of diabetes mellitus, patients with nephropathy or renal insufficiency were 40% less likely to achieve controlled hA1C as those without.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite improvements in the rates of treatment and glycemic control, approximately half of elderly patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus have hA1C levels of 7% or higher. Many patients suffer from comorbid conditions, which may present a challenge for successful diabetes mellitus management.
Suh
Dong-Churl
DC
Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA. dsuh@rci.rutgers.edu
Kim
Chul-Min
CM
Choi
In-Sun
IS
Plauschinat
Craig A
CA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D015995:Prevalence; D013997:Time Factors