Comparison of clinical profile of geriatric and nongeriatric diabetic patients

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).