Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in older adults: Current status and future prospects

The recent increase in life expectancy has resulted in an increase in the number of older adults with diabetes mellitus. In addition to type 2 diabetes, in which aging is a well-known risk factor, individuals with type 1 and other types of diabetes are also increasing owing to longevity in the general population and improved prognosis of the disease and comorbidities. Insulin-dependent state in type 1 diabetes and other types of diabetes, such as diabetes after pancreatectomy, inevitably requires insulin treatment for survival; however, daily injection of insulin is often hampered in older adults due to impaired cognitive function or limited activities of daily living. In this review, we aimed to discuss the current situation of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in older adults and highlight future prospects. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; center dot center dot: center dot center dot-center dot center dot.

Automated summary

The recent increase in life expectancy has led to a higher number of elderly people with diabetes mellitus. Apart from the well-known risk factor of aging for type 2 diabetes, type 1 and other types of diabetes are also increasing in older adults due to longevity and improved prognosis. However, impaired cognitive function or limited activities of daily living often hinder the daily insulin injections in older adults.