ABSTRACT
Diabetes prevalence increases with age. Older patients with diabetes may have type 1, type 2, or secondary diabetes. Type 1A diabetes is an autoimmune disorder associated with pancreatic beta-cell destruction. Type 2 diabetes refers to the remainder of patients with diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes are usually resistant to insulin and, as a group, are obese. Diabetes is associated with greater risk of amputation, cardiovascular disease, visual impairment, chronic kidney disease, and cognitive dysfunction. Patients with diabetes have an increased prevalence of hypertension, which must be addressed on an individualized basis. Diet and exercise are the cornerstones of treatment of type 2 diabetes. As indicated in the introduction, people with type 1 diabetes make little or no insulin. As opposed to older patients with type 2 diabetes, most people with type 1 diabetes have, almost necessarily, had their diabetes for a very long time—often from childhood or adolescence.
