Vnitr Lek 2016, 62(Suppl 4):119-122

Diabetes mellitus in older adults from the point of view of the clinical diabetologist

Alena Šmahelová

Diabetologické centrum a subkatedra LF UK a FN Hradec Králové

Disorders of glucose homeostasis affect quite a large part of the older population and their incidence including manifest diabetes is growing. Diabetes in older adults is associated with an increased risk of geriatric syndrome expressed in various ways (decrease in muscle size, functional disability, frailty) and early mortality. Diabetes care for the elderly requires, also in view of heterogeneity of diabetes itself, an individual specific approach. This involves not only diagnostics and a clinical picture, but also the treatment goals and the therapy of diabetes and complications in itself. Diabetes treatment includes both regimen adjustments and use of antidiabetic drugs in different combinations and regimens in accordance with up-to-date specialist recommendations.

Keywords: treatment goals; diabetes mellitus; pharmacological therapy; age

Received: August 30, 2016; Accepted: October 10, 2016; Published: August 1, 2016  Show citation