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. 2015:2015:174316.
doi: 10.1155/2015/174316. Epub 2015 Sep 6.

Prevalence, Clinical Correlates, and Use of Glucose-Lowering Drugs among Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Living in Long-Term Care Facilities

Mario Bo  1 , Stefano Gallo  1 , Mauro Zanocchi  1 , Paola Maina  2 , Luisa Balcet  3 , Martina Bonetto  1 , Lorenzo Marchese  1 , Annalisa Mastrapasqua  1 , Nicoletta Aimonino Ricauda  1
Affiliations

Prevalence, Clinical Correlates, and Use of Glucose-Lowering Drugs among Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Living in Long-Term Care Facilities

Mario Bo et al. J Diabetes Res. 2015.

Abstract

Prevalence, clinical correlates, and use of glucose-lowering drugs were comprehensively evaluated among 863 nursing home older patients with diabetes (mean age 82.9 ± 2.1 years): functional dependence and cognitive impairment were present in 84.1% and 68% of patients, respectively, and 66.3% of patients had 2-4 comorbidities. HbA1c values < 7.0% were documented in 54.9% of diabetic; significantly lower HbA1c levels were observed in demented patients than in nondemented subjects. Documented hypoglycemic episodes were reported for 57 patients (6.6%), without significant association with age, functional dependence, cognitive impairment, or HbA1c levels. About one-fifth of older long-term facilities residents have diabetes, with concomitant poor health conditions and high prevalence of cognitive impairment and functional dependence. Roughly three-fourths of these older and frail diabetic patients have HbA1c values lower than optimal, suggesting a potential for hypoglycemic harm especially among patients with severe cognitive impairment.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of cognitive impairment according to functional class among older diabetic patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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