title: Evaluation of type 2 diabetes mellitus medication management and control in older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary aims of this study were to characterize glycemic control and pharmacologic management in older patients and to compare glycemic control and pharmacological management in patients 65 to 79 years of age ("young-old") with those 80 to 89 years of age ("old-old"). We hypothesized that patients 80 to 89 years of age would be prescribed fewer medications and would have higher A1c values compared with younger patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective medical record review.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted in outpatient clinics within a university hospital setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 400 adults 65 to 89 years of age with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and at least one A1c measurement over 12 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  A1c measurements and diabetes mellitus medications were assessed in these patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall mean A1c was similar in the young-old compared with the old-old (7.1 ± 1.1% vs. 7.0 ± 1.1%; P = NS). There was no difference between groups for any of the A1c ranges studied. Fewer diabetes medications were prescribed in the old-old compared with the young-old (P = 0.003). In the young-old compared with the old-old, metformin (51.0% vs. 33.0%; P < 0.01), glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (6.7% vs. 0%; P < 0.01), insulin glargine/detemir (24.7% vs. 13.0%; P < 0.05), and short-acting insulin (15.0% vs. 7.0%; P < 0.05) were more frequently prescribed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that glycemic control was similar between the young-old and old-old. However, the old-old required fewer diabetic medications for this same level of glycemic control.
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Thompson
authors: Joseph P
authors: JP
authors: Vande Griend
authors: Sunny A
authors: SA
authors: Linnebur
authors: Joseph J
authors: JJ
authors: Saseen
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents