Table 1.

Guideline recommendations for HbA1c targets for older adults with diabetes

American Diabetes Association (97)		Diabetes Canada (98)		International Diabetes Federation (99)
Healthy: few existing chronic illnesses, intact cognitive and functional status	<7.5%	Functionally independent	≤7.0%	Functionally independent	7.0 – 7.5%
Complex/intermediate: multiple coexisting chronic illnesses or ≥2 instrumental ADL impairments or mid-to-moderate cognitive impairment	<8.0%	Functionally dependent	7.1 −8.0%	Functionally dependent	7.0 – 8.0%
Very complex/poor health: long-term care or end-stage chronic illnesses or moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment or ≥2 ADL dependencies	<8.5%	Frail and/or presence of dementia	7.1 −8.5%	Functionally dependent with frailty	<8.5%
		End of life	A1c measurements not recommended. Avoid hypoglycemia and symptomatic hyperglycemia	Functionally dependent with dementia	<8.5%
				End of life	Avoid symptomatic hyperglycemia

Abbreviations: ADL, activities of daily living