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Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly

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Geriatric Diseases

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Abstract

Worldwide the incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) increase with age. With the adoption of the new diagnostic criteria and people living longer, the prevalence of DM is likely to increase. A new problem that is disturbing is the rise of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in young people. This chapter provides an update on the mechanisms of action, use, contraindications and adverse effects of the medications used in the clinical management in DM. The elderly often do not present with usual classic symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia. They may present only with one or more of the geriatric syndromes, namely, falls, incontinence, decreased cognition or fatigue, lethargy or weight loss. The management of diabetes in the elderly is complex, but in general the principles of management are similar to that of younger patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Sydney, Westmead Clinical School, Westmead, NSW, Australia

    Nages Nagaratnam & Kujan Nagaratnam

  2. Rehabilitation and Aged Care Service, Blacktown-Mt Druitt Hospital, Mount Druitt, NSW, Australia

    Gary Cheuk

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  1. Nages Nagaratnam
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  2. Kujan Nagaratnam
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Nagaratnam, N., Nagaratnam, K., Cheuk, G. (2018). Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly. In: Geriatric Diseases. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33434-9_49

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33434-9_49

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