Published in:
01-09-2015 | Original Article
Comparison of clinical profile of geriatric and nongeriatric diabetic patients
Authors:
Rajeshwari Shastry, M. R. Prabha Adhikari, M. R. S. M. Pai, S. Kotian, Mukta N. Chowta, Sheetal Dinkar Ullal
Published in:
International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries
|
Issue 3/2015
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Abstract
The objective of this study is to compare and evaluate the clinical profile of geriatric and nongeriatric diabetic patients. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were grouped into geriatric (age ≥ 60 years) and nongeriatric (age < 60 years). Patients’ demographic data, duration of diabetes, comorbid conditions, medications and laboratory investigations were recorded. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 320 geriatric and 157 nongeriatric diabetics completed the study; mean ages were 68.31 ± 6.06 and 49.91 ± 6.93 years respectively. Significantly, more number of geriatrics had hypertension (78.75 vs 53.5 %) and coronary artery disease (CAD) (31.25 vs 13.37 %) (P = 0.0001). There was a significant difference in mean BMI (24.78 ± 3.81 vs 25.89 ± 4.11; P = 0.003), duration of diabetes (11.38 ± 8.90 vs 6.52 ± 5.71; P = 0.001), hypertension (8.40 ± 7.26 vs 5.46 ± 5.67; P = 0.001) and peripheral neuropathy (3.67 ± 3.64 vs 2.41 ± 2.27; P = 0.034) between the groups. Other co-morbidities and their duration (CAD, dyslipidaemia, nephropathy, retinopathy and hypothyroidism) were similar in both groups. Serum creatinine was significantly higher (but within normal limits) in geriatrics (P = 0.0002). Liver enzyme levels were higher in nongeriatric diabetics, while direct bilirubin was higher in geriatrics indicating impaired bilirubin clearance. Geriatrics had significantly higher total cholesterol (180 ± 34.29 vs 163 ± 29.01; P = 0.002) and LDL (105.61 ± 30.43 vs 94.92 ± 25.16; P = 0.02). Fasting blood sugar (FBS) was significantly lower in geriatrics (P = 0.01); HbA1c too was lower in geriatrics but was not statistically significant. Long-standing diabetes, hypertension and peripheral neuropathy are common among geriatrics. Prevalence of hypertension and CAD is high among geriatric diabetics. Short-time glycemic control (FBS) was better in geriatrics whereas no difference was noted in long-term glycemic control (HbA1c).