Journal of Korean Diabetes  2019;20(4):220-224

doi:10.4093/jkd.2019.20.4.220

Treatment Goals for Glycemia in Older Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Jung Ah LIM 1

Affiliations

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Keywords

Aged; Diabetes mellitus; Therapeutics

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

More than 25% of Korean population aged ≥ 65 years has diabetes, and elderly diabetic patients show higher mortality, reduced functional activity, and increased risk of hospitalization. The care of elderly diabetic patients is complicated by their clinical, cognitive, and functional heterogeneity. Healthy patients with good functional status can be treated using therapeutic interventions and goals similar those for younger adults with diabetes. For patients with complications and reduced functionality, intensive glycemic control should be avoided. Glycemic goals for older patients might be individualized so that treatment can achieve the appropriate balance between glycemic control and risk of hypoglycemia.