Diabetes Mellitus

Glycemic targets in elderly patients should be determined on the basis of expected long-term benefits of reducing hyperglycemia, as compared to risks determined by treatment, particularly hypoglycemia. Higher targets are recommended in frail patients and in those with shorter life expectancy, because of advanced age and/or comorbidities. In addition, the efficacy and safety profile of available drugs for diabetes is different in the elderly than in younger adults. As a consequence, treatment recommendations developed for middle-aged adults cannot be automatically applied to older individuals.