Abstract
The clinical characteristics and treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus over 60 years old receiving treatment at facilities participating in the Japan Diabetes Clinical Study Group (JDDM) were classified into four groups and compared (Group I, patients in their 60s; Group II, patients in their 70s; Group III, patients in their 80s; and Group IV, patients in their 90s). The body mass index decreased with age, while in 90', it lies in the normal weight range. The average HbA1c level was 7.0 %±0.9 % in Group I, 6.9 %±0.8 % in Group II, and 6.9 %±0.9 % for both Groups III and IV. The low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides levels decreased with age. The serum creatinine and urinary albumin excretion increased while the serum albumin and glomerular filtration rate decreased with age. The prevalence of diabetic complications, such as nephropathy and neuropathy, increased with age, while retinopathy did not show this tendency. The prevalence of therapy without any drug increased with age, while the rate of oral medication decreased. Regarding therapy with oral anti-diabetic drugs, the rate of administering combination therapy decreased with age, while the rate of DPP-4 inhibitor monotherapy increased.
