Barbara Keber, MD; Jennifer Fiebert, PharmD Hofstra Northwell School of Diabetes in the elderly: Medicine, Northwell Health, Glen Cove, NY Matching meds to needs
[email protected] The authors reported no Elderly patients, whose insulin resistance is complicated potential conflict of interest relevant to this article. by age-related loss of beta-cell function and concomitant diseases, require personalized Tx considerations. s members of the baby boomer generation (adults PRACTICE ≥65 years) age, the number of people at risk for dia- RECOMMENDATIONS betes increases. Already nearly one-quarter of people ❯ Allow higher A1C goals for A 1 over age 65 have type 2 diabetes (T2DM). With a proliferation elderly patients who have of new medications to treat diabetes, deciding which ones to such comorbid conditions use in older patients is becoming complex. as cognitive dysfunction, dementia, or cardiovascu- In this article we review the important issues to consider lar or renal disease. B when prescribing and monitoring diabetes medications in older adults. To provide optimal patient-centered care, it’s nec- ❯ Look to metformin first essary to assess comorbid conditions as well as the costs, risks, in most instances if there are no contraindications. and benefits of each medication. Determining appropriate Monitor renal function goals of therapy and selecting agents that minimize the risk of frequently and vitamin B12 hypoglycemia will help ensure safe and effective management levels periodically. B of older patients with diabetes. ❯ Consider glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for patients who also have What makes elderly patients unique established cardiovascular The pathophysiology of T2DM in the elderly is unique in that disease, or consider starting it involves not just insulin resistance but also age-related loss basal insulin instead of using of beta-cell function, leading to reduced insulin secretion and multiple oral agents.