Type 2 diabetes in older people: pathophysiology, identification and management

Nursing Older People
Paula Mayo

Abstract

The general population is now living longer, with increasing numbers of older people living with more than one long-term condition. The number of older people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is also rising because of the changes resulting from the ageing process and the significant increase in obesity levels, which are affecting the provision of healthcare and individuals' quality of life. This article explores the implications of increased longevity and how this is linked to the development of type 2 diabetes. It explains how the presentation of type 2 diabetes differs in older people compared with younger people, making initial diagnosis increasingly challenging. Frailty and anti-diabetes medicines can affect quality of life and an older person's risk of falls; therefore, linked to these, the article details the effects of declining functional ability and increasing cognitive impairment, and emphasises the need for regular medication reviews. The article also provides an analysis of the care required for older people with type 2 diabetes living in care homes, including the need for flexibility in treatment targets.

References

Mar 17, 2001·The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences·L P FriedUNKNOWN Cardiovascular Health Study Collaborative Research Group
Jul 9, 2004·Home Healthcare Nurse·Hillary Benson
Jan 4, 2012·Diabetes & Metabolism·Alan J SinclairUNKNOWN European Diabetes Working Party for Older People
Oct 25, 2012·Journal of Affective Disorders·Richard I G Holt, Wayne J Katon
Apr 23, 2013·Diabetes Therapy : Research, Treatment and Education of Diabetes and Related Disorders·Ahmed H Abdelhafiz, Alan J Sinclair
Oct 10, 2013·Journal of the American Medical Directors Association·Kim BouillonG David Batty
Mar 14, 2014·The Lancet. Diabetes & Endocrinology
Apr 16, 2014·Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice·Trisha DunningStephen Colagiuri
Jun 12, 2014·Nursing Standard·Sally Gillen
Dec 4, 2014·The Lancet. Diabetes & Endocrinology·Alan SinclairLeocadio Rodriguez-Mañas
Aug 8, 2015·Neurological Sciences : Official Journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology·Sara AhmedSaadia Zahid
Oct 3, 2015·Clinical Medicine : Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London·Katie Bennett
Oct 22, 2015·Nursing Standard·Paula Mayo
Jun 17, 2016·BMJ : British Medical Journal·Elbert S Huang
Apr 18, 2017·Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra·Larissa SchwarzkopfMichaela Schunk
Apr 14, 2018·Canadian Journal of Diabetes·UNKNOWN Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert CommitteeAfshan Zahedi
Oct 7, 2018·British Journal of Community Nursing·Sarah Gregory
Apr 11, 2019·British Journal of Community Nursing·Jill Hill
Apr 19, 2019·Chinese Journal of Cancer Research = Chung-kuo Yen Cheng Yen Chiu

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.