Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Elderly Patients with Frailty and/or Sarcopenia

The life expectancy of the population is increasing worldwide due to improvements in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. This favors a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the elderly. Sarcopenia and frailty are also frequently present in aging. These three entities share common mechanisms such as insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The coexistence of these situations worsens the prognosis of elderly patients. In this paper, we review the main measures for the prevention and management of sarcopenia and/or frailty in elderly patients with T2DM.

Automated summary

The increasing life expectancy worldwide has led to a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the elderly, who also frequently suffer from sarcopenia and frailty. These three conditions share common mechanisms, such as insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The coexistence of these conditions worsens the prognosis of elderly patients. This paper reviews the main measures for preventing and managing sarcopenia and/or frailty in elderly patients with T2DM.