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Diabetes Mellitus in Centenarians
Author(s) -
Davey Adam,
Lele Uday,
Elias Merrill F.,
Dore Gregory A.,
Siegler Ilene C.,
Johnson Mary A.,
Hausman Dorothy B.,
Tenover J. Lisa,
Poon Leonard W.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03836.x
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , gerontology , medline , endocrinology , political science , law
Objectives To describe the prevalence of diabetes mellitus ( DM ) in centenarians. Design Cross‐sectional, population‐based. Setting Forty‐four counties in northern Georgia. Participants Two hundred forty‐four centenarians (aged 98–108, 15.8% male, 20.5% African American, 38.0% community dwelling) from the G eorgia C entenarian S tudy (2001–2009). Measurements Nonfasting blood samples assessed glycosylated hemoglobin ( HbA 1c ) and relevant clinical parameters. Demographic, diagnosis, and DM complication covariates were assessed. Results 12.5% of centenarians were known to have DM . DM was more prevalent in African Americans (27.7%) than whites (8.6%, P < .001). There were no differences between men (16.7%) and women (11.7%, P = .41) or between centenarians living in the community (10.2%) and in facilities (13.9%, P = .54). DM was more prevalent in overweight and obese (23.1%) than nonoverweight (7.1%, P = .002) centenarians. Anemia (78.6% vs 48.3%, P = .004) and hypertension (79.3% vs 58.6%, P = .04) were more prevalent in centenarians with DM than in those without, and centenarians with DM took more nonhypoglycemic medications (8.6 vs 7.0, P = .02). No centenarians with HbA 1c of less than 6.5% had random serum glucose levels greater than 200 mg/dL. DM was not associated with 12‐month all‐cause mortality, visual impairment, amputations, cardiovascular disease, or neuropathy. Thirty‐seven percent of centenarians reported onset before age 80 (survivors), 47% between age 80 and 97 (delayers), and 15% aged 98 and older (escapers). Conclusion Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality but is seen in persons who live into very old age. Aside from higher rates of anemia and use of more medications, few clinical correlates of DM were observed in centenarians.