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Prevalence and Clinical Features of Known Type 2 Diabetes in the Elderly: A Population‐based Study
Author(s) -
Pagano G.,
Bargero G.,
Vuolo A.,
Bruno G.
Publication year - 1994
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.1464-5491.1994.tb00309.x
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , family history , population , type 2 diabetes , obesity , metabolic control analysis , endocrinology , environmental health
In a large population‐based survey, 1947 Type 2 diabetic subjects aged 40 yr and over were identified, with high ascertainment (91%). Age‐specific prevalence increased from 2.48% in the age group 40–64 to 5.62% in the age group ≤65 yr; 35% of subjects were 65 yr and over at the onset of the disease. Elderly diabetic subjects showed a significantly ( p < 0.001) lower frequency of family history of diabetes (26% vs 42%), obesity at diagnosis (62% vs 70.6%) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (8.3 ± 2.4 vs 8.1 ± 2.8 mmol I −1 ). Elderly diabetic subjects were more commonly managed by general practitioners (GPs) (29.7% vs 21.5%). Elderly patients attending only the GPs differed in FPG, which was significantly lower (7.9 ± 2.1 nmol I −1 vs 8.5 ± 2.6 mmol I −1 ). Good metabolic control (FPG <6.6 mmol I −1 ) was found in 17.5% of subjects in the age group 40–64 and in 22.9% in the age group ≥65 yr. Poor metabolic control was more commonly seen in those attending the diabetic clinic. HBA 1c measurement was available in 32.0% of the elderly attending the diabetic clinic and in only 10.7% of those in the care of GPs. Fundal examination was available in 48.2% and in 36.5%, respectively, of diabetic subjects in the age groups 40–64 and ≥65 yr, without differences between those attending and those not attending the diabetic clinic. In conclusion, this survey showed a higher prevalence of diabetes in the elderly in an Italian population with some peculiar characteristics: low degree of obesity, poor metabolic control, high prevalence of hypertension and low use of insulin therapy.