ABSTRACT
In the past two decades, diabetes mellitus has earned its place amongst the most significant public health threats worldwide. Obesity and increased life expectancy have been blamed for the growing prevalence of this disease, which is expected to further increase by 23% between 2000 and 2010 in North America.1 The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is age-dependent, with more than 20% of Americans aged 60-74 years suffering from this disease and another 20% having impaired glucose tolerance, defined by blood glucose levels between 140 and 200 mg/dl 2 hours after an oral glucose load.2
Diabetes is not only exceedingly common in the elderly, it is also poorly controlled and undertreated. This could be responsible for the increased complication rate in this group.3
