Diabetes

Introduction

Management of diabetes in older adults has numerous challenges that require a complex and multidisciplinary approach. These challenges include the high prevalence of the disease, patient diversity, heterogeneity in clinical presentation, variable haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) targets, and recent pharmacological innovations. It is essential to adopt personalized treatment strategies that consider the unique characteristics of each patient and to promote health education for patients, families, and caregivers. Only through such comprehensive efforts can we improve diabetes management in older adults, reduce complications, and enhance their quality of life.

Challanges

High prevalence: Diabetes is increasingly common among older adults due to aging, requiring healthcare systems to manage this demographic effectively.
Patient diversity: Older adults with diabetes vary in health, comorbidities, and function, necessitating personalized treatment plans.
Variable and moving HbA1c targets: Targets should adjust based on health and life expectancy; less stringent targets for frailty, more for robustness.
Pharmacological innovations: New medications simplify diabetes management, balancing efficacy with safety and interactions.
Polypharmacy: Managing multiple conditions complicates diabetes care, emphasizing coordinated treatment.

Perspectives

Precision medicine: Tailoring treatments based on genetic and individual factors.
Artificial intelligence: Using AI for personalized care and predictive analytics.
Regenerative therapies: Developing treatments to restore pancreatic function.
Telemedicine: Expanding remote monitoring and virtual care options.
Prevention focus: Emphasizing lifestyle changes and early intervention strategies.

Objectives

The group has been renewed in 2024. Under the new leadership it will specifically develop initial actions aimed to:

Connect geriatricians, other health care workers, researchers and students throughout Europe with an interest in diabetes field with the aim to create and support a European network
Update knowledge related to diabetes prevention, management and treatment
Implement research in the diabetes field with a focus on slow aging processes
Successfully disseminate knowledge

Completed previous projects and publications

The group has organized an open online meeting during the congress of Athens presenting the paper “Dexamethasone and Oxygen Therapy in Care Home Residents with Diabetes – A Management Guide and Algorithm for Treatment” in collaboration with EDWPOP that is available on the EuGMS site.

The guidelines for care of older people with diabetes in primary care in collaboration with EDWPOP “Essential Steps in Primary Care Management of Older People with Type 2 Diabetes; A Position Statement on behalf of the European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS) and the European Diabetes Working Party for Older People (EDWPOP) Collaboration “have been also presented..

Ongoing projects

Ongoing position paper on “Advancing diabetes care in geriatrics: innovations, challenges, and simplified management approaches”
Surveys
Implementation of activities by social use mainly LinkedIn