title: [Type 2 diabetes among elderly people].
abstract: Type 2 Diabetes is frequent among elderly people. The appropriate target for HbA1c in elderly patients ( > 70 years or life expectancy < 10 years) should be around 7.0% (maximally 8%). In patients with multiple co-morbidities, the goal must be an improvement of symptoms and preservation of weight, especially muscle mass. In the setting of an uncontrolled symptomatic diabetes with concomitant catabolism, insulin is the most effective therapy and, therefore, the treatment of choice. The prevention of hypoglycemia must be a major aim. A balanced and regular food intake facilitates therapy and improves quality of life. The priorities of the management of cardiovascular risk factors should be based upon the individual's overall health condition.
authors.affiliation: Universitätspoliklinik für Endokrinologie, Diabetologie und Klinische Ernährung, Inselspital, Universität Bern.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Noth
authors.forename: Rahel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sahli
authors.forename: Petra Elsässer
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Imboden
authors.forename: Emanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Christ
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008017:Life Expectancy; D011788:Quality of Life