Diabetes in the frail elderly: Individualization of glycemic management

摘要

Older adults with diabetes who are otherwise healthy and who have considerable life expectancy (more than 10 years) should generally receive diabetes care with goals and targets similar to those for younger adults. However, it is important to individualize treatment goals for those frail elderly who have comorbidities, limited function, limited life expectancy, impaired cognition, or a high risk of adverse events from treatment.12 In such individuals, treatment goals might need to be relaxed. When individualizing therapy, it is important to consider overall benefits and harms, and to avoid acute complications of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.