Objective: This clinical review guides consultant pharmacists on how best to integrate a range of parameters, such as glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) levels, patient comorbidities, and quality of life issues specific to seniors, and drug risks and benefits, when determining optimal therapeutic decisions for elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It also discusses clinical use of incretin-based therapies that provide important new alternatives in improving glycemic levels, extend a positive effect on weight, and minimize hypoglycemic risk.
Data sources: Live symposium presentation based on clinical practice and research, medical literature, and studies published between April 1995 and January 2010 on managing diabetes in older adults, government statistics, and medical society guidelines.
Conclusions: Minimizing or delaying long-term complications, maximizing functional status, maintaining nutritional status, and initiating pharmacological therapy with established goals to control hyperglycemia and prevent hypoglycemia are important in the multifaceted management of older adults with diabetes.