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Diabetes in the Elderly: The Oxford Community Diabetes Study
Author(s) -
Neil H.A.W.,
Thompson A.V.,
Thorogood M.,
Fowler G.H.,
Mann J.I.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-5491.1989.tb01237.x
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , retinopathy , diabetic retinopathy , overweight , nephropathy , blood pressure , stroke (engine) , population , diabetic nephropathy , surgery , body mass index , endocrinology , mechanical engineering , environmental health , engineering
Most diabetic patients are elderly but their clinical characteristics remain poorly defined. A population survey identified 259 known diabetic patients aged 60 years or more giving a prevalence of 3% in this age group. A total of 193 patients (75%) were interviewed and examined, 155 (80%) of whom had been diagnosed at under 70 years of age. Forty‐two patients (22%) were insulin‐treated but clinical characteristics suggested that at least 95% of all elderly patients had Type 2 diabetes. Blood glucose control was poor with median HbA 1 9.7% (range 4.9–17.1%, normal reference range 5.0–7.5%), and 55% were either overweight or obese. There was a high morbidity from diabetes and other conditions: the prevalence of hypertension (untreated blood pressure of 160/95 mmHg or more or antihypertensive medication) was 52%, of stroke 5%, of nephropathy (urinary albumin concentration ≥300 mg I −1 ) 3%, of lower limb amputations 4%, and of foot ulcers 7%. The prevalence of symmetrically impaired distal vibration perception was 23%, and 54% of patients either needed or were receiving chiropody. The prevalence of a corrected distant visual acuity of 6/12 or worse was 32% and of retinopathy of any degree was 26%. There was extensive co‐morbidity which was not confined to a single subgroup of patients.