Management of Comorbidities in Older Persons With Type 2 Diabetes

Worldwide the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is expected to increase by 134% in persons 65 years of age and older between 2000 and 2030.1 At present, in developed countries more than half of those with type 2 diabetes are older than 65 years. This rapid demographic change has increased the recognition that diabetes in older persons is associated with a variety of different comorbidities that require a different approach to the management of diabetes. This has been recognized by both national and international organizations, who have suggested that in persons older than 65 years, healthy persons with diabetes should have an HbA1c of 7.0% to 7.5%, and in those who are frail up to 8.0%.