[Sick-day management in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus]

Abstract

Sick-day is defined as a state of common illness like cold or flu, which can reduce oral intake and make blood sugars hard to control in diabetic patients. The symptoms associated with hyper- or hypoglycemia may be atypical in the geriatric population, therefore, elderly patients need to take extra precautions on sick days to avoid diabetic crises. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to hyperglycemia and dehydration, the key components of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome, because insulin sensitivity and thirst mechanisms decrease with increasing age. Frequent monitoring of blood glucose is recommended and an individualized sick-day plan in considering the heterogeneity of older patients is important.