Guidelines for older people with diabetes

According to the IDOP diabetes has become one of the most concerning health epidemics in Europe. In 2010 over 54.4 million people were diagnosed with diabetes and this figure is expected to increase to 66.5 million by 2030. Over 50% of these are thought to be over 60 years of age. The change in demographics could result in a wave of older people with diabetes up to 2030 and beyond, which would stretch public health resources. Current EU spending on diabetes is 80 billion euros, which is equivalent to 10% of total healthcare expenditure. This figure is expected to rise to s94 bn by 2030. “If nothing is done now to improve the care of older people with type 2 diabetes, the effect on patients and healthcare systems across Europe could be catastrophic. Particularly at risk are countries that have national health systems, such as the UK, for which the diabetes timebomb could potentially bankrupt the already stretched service,” warned Professor Alan Sinclair, director of IDOP. “Most European guidelines ignore the unique need for care and dependency that is required by ageing patients with diabetes, and these new guidelines outline practical care recommendations that can be adhered to by healthcare professionals throughout Europe,” he said. The EDWPOP guidelines provide an evidence-based summary of what healthcare professionals across Europe should be doing now to give patients the best diabetes care possible. They include:

• An evidence-based review of treatment for older people with diabetes, intended as a resource for clinical decision-making.
• A user-friendly set of recommendations for primary care, the community and secondary care settings.
 • Guidance in 18 areas of clinical interest, such as screening and diagnosis, prevention, secondary complications, hypoglycaemia, cognitive impairment, falls and immobility.