title: Treatment of type 2 diabetes in the elderly.
abstract: As the number of older adults increases in the United States and worldwide, management of patients with multiple coexisting chronic diseases has become a critical component in health care. Management of diabetes is particularly challenging in this population due to significant risks of microvascular and macrovascular diseases on the one hand, and complications of the treatment strategies (e.g., hypoglycemia) with intensive control on the other hand. To provide a balanced approach to diabetes in the elderly, a comprehensive and holistic strategy, with consideration of overall health, functional status, psychosocial environment, financial resources and, finally but most importantly, quality of life is needed. Understanding the unique challenges faced by older adults with diabetes and issues pertaining to antidiabetes medications with aging is an important first step in the direction of better and tailored care of this burgeoning population.
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatrics, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, 110 Francis St., Boston, MA 02215, USA. mmunshi@bidmc.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Medha N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Munshi
authors.forename: Megumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maguchi
authors.forename: Alissa R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Segal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D015995:Prevalence; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents