Glycemic control in elderly people with diabetes.

Hyperglycemia is only one of several metabolic derangements that are prevalent in diabetes mellitus. Of these, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and co-existent hypertension may make more important contributions to complications than persistently elevated blood sugars. The role of hyperglycemia in the genesis of diabetic complications is uncertain and there is little evidence from prospective randomized controlled studies to support rigorous hypoglycemic treatment. Adverse consequences of pharmacologic therapy can be severe, including death, and are most frequent in the elderly. The group of elderly diabetic ambulatory patients is markedly heterogeneous and individualization of therapy is required. Obese persons require dietary therapy, and additional dietary manipulations are needed for patients with the complications of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and nephropathy. Pharmacologic hypoglycemic therapy may be required to control symptoms, but its use in asymptomatic diabetic persons is for the most part unwarranted.