Diabetes Q&A

Endocrine Society: New Guideline for Treating Diabetes in Older Adults

The Endocrine Society has issued a new clinical practice guideline for the treatment of diabetes in adults aged 65 years or older.

Cosponsored by the European Society of Endocrinology, the Gerontological Society of America, and the Obesity Society, the guideline was written to address the rising prevalence of diabetes—particularly type 2 diabetes—in the general population, especially among older adults.

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Among the recommendations included in the guideline:

  • For patients aged 65 years or older with newly diagnosed diabetes, it is recommended that endocrinologists collaborate with primary care providers, a multidisciplinary team, and their patients to help develop individualized treatment goals.
  • Fasting plasma glucose and/or HbA1c screening are recommended to diagnose diabetes or prediabetes in patients aged 65 years or older.
  • A lifestyle program similar to the Diabetes Prevention Program is recommended for patients aged 65 years or older who have prediabetes. According to the authors of the guideline, metformin is neither currently recommended for diabetes prevention nor approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for this indication.
  • Periodic cognitive screening is recommended for adults aged 65 years or older who have diabetes in order to identify undiagnosed cognitive impairment.
  • It is recommended that outpatient diabetes regimens are designed specifically to minimize hyperglycemia.


The guideline also addresses lifestyle interventions for older adults with diabetes, drug therapy for hyperglycemia, and the treatment of complications of diabetes, among other categories.

To read the full guideline, click here.

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

LeRoith D, Jan Biessels G, Braithwaite SS, et al. Treatment of diabetes in older adults: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019;104(5):1-55. doi:10.1210/jc.2019-00198.