A retrospective study of diabetes treatment in older adults: what should we AIM for?

OBJECTIVES

Management of diabetes in elderly individuals requires a complex approach, considering the negative consequences. Glycemic overtreatment and undertreatment are relatively common conditions among this population. This study aimed to determine the potential overtreatment and undertreatment frequencies in older adults and the factors associated with these conditions.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 405 diabetic older adults aged >65 years. Sociodemographic characteristics, additional comorbidities, medications, HbA1c and fasting glucose levels of the patients have been recorded.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 71 years. The frequency of potential overtreatment and undertreatment has been found to be 20.2% and 17.8%, respectively. Insulin and sulfonylureas were found to be associated with increased risk of potential overtreatment (p = 0.000, OR = 14.91 and p = 0.000, OR = 8.48, respectively) and reduced risk of potential undertreatment (p = 0.001, OR = 0.16 and p = 0.000, OR = 0.05, respectively), while DPP-4 inhibitors were found to be associated with reduced risk of potential undertreatment (p = 0.000, OR = 0.12).

CONCLUSION

Our study has shown that potential glycemic overtreatment and undertreatment are common problems in diabetic older adults. It was found that agents with a high risk of hypoglycemia, such as insulin and sulfonylureas, were more closely associated with potential overtreatment.