Management of Hyperglycemia in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Drugs Aging. 2022 Jan;39(1):39-58. doi: 10.1007/s40266-021-00910-1. Epub 2021 Dec 18.

Abstract

The increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes in the general population as well as enhanced life expectancy has resulted in a rapid rise in the prevalence of diabetes in the older population. Diabetes causes significant morbidity and impairs quality of life. Managing diabetes in older adults is a daunting task due to unique health and psychosocial challenges. Medical management is complicated by polypharmacy, cognitive impairment, urinary incontinence, injurious falls, and persistent pain. Health care providers now have several traditional and contemporary pharmacologic agents to manage diabetes. Avoidance of hypoglycemia is critical; however, evidence-based guidelines are lacking due to the paucity of clinical trials in older adults. For many in this population, maintaining independence is more important than adherence to published guidelines to prevent diabetes complications. The goal of diabetes care in older adults is to enhance the quality of life without subjecting these patients to intrusive and complicated interventions. Recent technological advancements such as continuous glucose monitoring systems can have crucial supplementary benefits in the geriatric population.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Blood Glucose
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia* / complications
  • Hyperglycemia* / drug therapy
  • Quality of Life

Substances

  • Blood Glucose