Diabetes in the elderly ‐ an epidemiological perspective

Abstract

A survey was performed to identify all known diabetics in a defined population whose age distribution was similar to that of the UK. The study population consisted of all 90,660 patients registered with 40 general practitioners. Of these, 15,411 (17%) were elderly, ie aged 65 years or more. Nine hundred and seventeen diabetics were identified from the total population, resulting in a prevalence for all ages of 1.01%. More than half (479) of all the diabetics were aged 65 years or over. Thus the prevalence for diabetes in the elderly was 3.1%. Age‐specific rates for diabetes in the age group 65–74 years were 33.2/1000 for males and 24.8/1000 for females. In those over 75 years the rates increased to 45.7/1000 for males and 29.0/1000 for females. A detailed study of the 50 elderly diabetics from one of the group practices revealed a high prevalence of both cardiovascular disease (96%) and eye disease (40%). In the planning of diabetic services, specific provision must be made for the elderly, who form a substantial part of the diabetic community, associated with a high morbidity.

Problems and Pitfalls of Sulphonylurea Therapy in Older Patients

“…In population surveys in the UK, approximately 50% of patients are over 65 years of age (Petri et al 1986), similar to the situation in the US (Harris 1990).…”