title: Management of diabetes mellitus in the elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Description of management of diabetes in elderly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Population of older adults is growing and so is the prevalence of diabetes in elderly individuals. Older adults are a heterogeneous group of individuals with varying physical capabilities, cognitive functioning and co-morbidities and life expectancies. Also, older adults with diabetes are at increased risk for some geriatric conditions. Thus, clinicians taking care of elderly with diabetes must take this into consideration and prioritize treatment accordingly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Goals of diabetes care in elderly and younger adults are alike, though managing diabetes in elderly requires individualized approach. Fit elderly with life expectancy over 10 years should have HbA1c target similar to younger adults, whereas in frail elderly with multiple co-morbidities, the goal should somewhat be higher. Pharmacological treatment options are similar to younger adults and avoidance of hypoglycemia is an important consideration in choosing therapeutic agents in elderly. Evaluation and treatment of microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes in elderly must also be individualized.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA. niyatichiniwala@gmail.com
authors.forename: Niyati
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chiniwala
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jabbour
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human