title: Hypoglycemia, frailty and dementia in older people with diabetes: Reciprocal relations and clinical implications.
abstract: The relationships between hypoglycemia, frailty and dementia appear to be reciprocal and can lead to a vicious circle. Frailty appears to be a crucial factor increasing the risk for both hypoglycemia and dementia, initiating the reciprocal relationships. Weight loss is likely to be the underlying risk factor for frailty. Many frail older people with diabetes seem to have unnecessarily tight glycemic control, being treated with hypoglycemic medications that likely increase the risk of hypoglycemia. As patients get older with significant weight loss their glycemic targets should be reviewed, and reduction or even withdrawal of their hypoglycemic medications should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Rotherham General Hospital, Moorgate Road, Rotherham, S60 2UD, UK. Electronic address: ahmedhafiz@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ahmed H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Abdelhafiz
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Rotherham General Hospital, Moorgate Road, Rotherham, S60 2UD, UK.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McNicholas
authors.affiliation: Foundation for Diabetes Research in Older People, Diabetes Frail Ltd, Droitwich Spa, WR9 0QH, UK.
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Sinclair
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000073496:Frailty; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000150:complications*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents
keywords: Dementia; Diabetes mellitus; Frailty; Hypoglycemia; Older people