Diabetes and Frailty: An Expert Consensus Statement on the Management of Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Prognosis and appropriate treatment goals for older adults with diabetes vary greatly according to frailty. It is now recognised that changes may be needed to diabetes management in some older people. Whilst there is clear guidance on the evaluation of frailty and subsequent target setting for people living with frailty, there remains a lack of formal guidance for healthcare professionals in how to achieve these targets. The management of older adults with type 2 diabetes is complicated by comorbidities, shortened life expectancy and exaggerated consequences of adverse effects from treatment. In particular, older adults are more prone to hypoglycaemia and are more vulnerable to its consequences, including falls, fractures, hospitalisation, cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Thus, assessment of frailty should be a routine component of a diabetes review for all older adults, and glycaemic targets and therapeutic choices should be modified accordingly. Evidence suggests that over-treatment of older adults with type 2 diabetes is common, with many having had their regimens intensified over preceding years when they were in better health, or during more recent acute hospital admissions when their blood glucose levels might have been atypically high, and nutritional intake may vary. In addition, assistance in taking medications, as often occurs in later life following implementation of community care strategies or admittance to a care home, may dramatically improve treatment adherence, leading to a fall in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. As a person with diabetes gets older, simplification, switching or de-escalation of the therapeutic regimen may be necessary, depending on their level of frailty and HbA1c levels. Consideration should be given, in particular, to de-escalation of therapies that may induce hypoglycaemia, such as sulphonylureas and shorter-acting insulins. We discuss the use of available glucose-lowering therapies in older adults and recommend simple glycaemic management algorithms according to their level of frailty.

Key Summary Points

Frailty, rather than age, determines the prognosis for older adults with diabetes, and should therefore be a key determinant of target setting and treatment choices when individualising care.

Frailty-dependent glycaemic treatment targets and de-escalation thresholds have previously been described and are generally accepted.

There is a lack of formal guidance for healthcare professionals on the best routes to achieve these targets.

We summarise here the relative merits of various drug classes as they pertain to older adults with diabetes and recommend simple glycaemic management algorithms according to their level of frailty.

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Introduction

A recently published UK national collaborative stakeholder initiative [1] provides guidance on the assessment of frailty in older adults with type 2 diabetes, and on appropriate glucose target setting. Although the choice of medications was briefly mentioned, accumulating evidence, including analyses from large-scale cardiovascular outcomes trials (CVOTs), means that clearer guidance can now be provided on the relative benefits and potential risks of available treatment options in this population. This article builds upon our previous work [1] to discuss degrees of frailty in older adults with type 2 diabetes, and how treatment goals should vary accordingly. Our aim is to provide prescriptive guidance for glycaemic management in older adults with diabetes according to frailty, including frailty-specific glycaemic targets.

We believe that detailed advice is needed for healthcare professionals caring for older people with diabetes on how to safely prescribe newer glucose-lowering therapy and when to intensify or de-escalate treatment. Primary care teams often lack the confidence to make what may seem like radical changes to established therapeutic regimens; rather, maintaining the ‘status quo’ may feel ‘safer’. Furthermore, a pervading view is that type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease that requires continual escalation of treatment until a ‘final’ intensified regimen is arrived at. Increasing age and frailty status, however, ought to require that periodic reassessments are made of the treatment regimen. Changes, including the de-prescribing of certain elements or switching to newer and perhaps unfamiliar drugs, may be required and may be more beneficial to patient safety, adherence and care.

While valuable evidence-based guidance has been published on the overall management of people aged ≥ 65 years with diabetes [2, 3], and international guidance is available that addresses the overall management of frailty in older adults [4], there is limited formal and practical guidance, for primary care teams in particular, on how to vary type 2 diabetes therapy in older people according to their level of frailty. However, the importance of this is beginning to be addressed in recent publications [5, 6]. Historically, there has been a lack of routine assessment of frailty, functional status and comorbidities in clinical trials on diabetes, which has contributed largely to the insufficient characterization of older study participants [7].

The lack of clear guidance and pathways in complex patients is a recognised contributor to clinical inertia [8]. In order to overcome treatment inertia, we feel it is important to provide guidance on de-prescribing/de-escalation and to highlight the complications and comorbidities of type 2 diabetes in older adults that should be considered as part of a holistic and multifactorial management approach. Medical, psychological and functional issues, such as sarcopenia, heart failure, hypertension, lipid profile, urinary incontinence, cognitive decline, depression, diet, physical condition, falls and fractures, swallowing difficulties, an increased need for assistance with the administration of medication by carers or care home staff and polypharmacy can all impact upon adherence and the pharmacodynamic response to glucose-lowering therapies.

We hope that the information provided here (based on the literature and expert opinion) will be useful to primary care and community teams (general practitioners, practice nurses, nurse practitioners, community nurses etc.) as well as diabetologists working with older adults and geriatricians caring for people with diabetes. Our aim is to encourage appropriate revision of therapy according to individual need and frailty status.

This article is based on previous studies reported in the literature and on expert opinion. As such, it does not report results from studies performed by the authors with human participants or animals.

Degrees of Frailty and Treatment Goals in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Frailty has been described as “a condition characterised by loss of biological reserves across multiple organ systems and vulnerability to physiological decompensation after a stressor event” [9]. There are several ways to assess frailty, but tools like the electronic Frailty Index (eFI) [10], Rockwood scale [10] and Timed up and Go [11, 12] can be used to confirm clinical suspicion. The eFI makes use of existing electronic health records and uses a ‘cumulative deficit’ model to assess frailty on the basis of accumulation of up to 36 deficits, including clinical signs and symptoms such as tremor or problems with vision, diseases, disabilities or abnormal test values [10]. Other tools for measuring frailty in routine clinical practice are available and, in particular, the FRAIL scale, a 5-item questionnaire that has been validated in multiple populations [13], is increasingly being used, as it does not require a procedure and can be completed in several minutes.

Frailty is not a simple correlate of age, necessarily progressive nor irreversible [9]. Some older adults with diabetes have numerous diabetes-related comorbidities, limited cognitive or physical functioning and a severe degree of frailty, whereas others may have few or no comorbidities and be very active with only a mild degree of frailty.

Prognosis, and hence appropriate diabetes treatment goals, for older adults with diabetes vary greatly according to frailty, and therefore need to be individualised [14]. For example, older and more frail people with diabetes who have significant comorbidity or substantial cognitive or functional impairments are less likely to live long enough to reap the benefits of long-term intensive diabetes management, such as a reduced risk of vascular complications. They are also more likely to suffer serious adverse effects from hypoglycaemia. Indeed, a recent systematic review suggested that both low (< 42 mmol/mol; < 6%) and high (> 75 mmol/mol; > 9%) glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were associated with more harm than benefit in older adults [14]. In this review, an HbA1c between 59 and 64 mmol/mol (7.5 and 8.0%) was associated with the most favourable outcomes. It is therefore reasonable to set less intensive glycaemic goals in these individuals, although it is important to clarify that the majority of studies that contributed to this systematic review were conducted before the widespread availability of agents that can achieve normoglycaemia with only a very small risk of hypoglycaemia. Improved diabetes control may thus be beneficial in some situations, yet de-escalating treatments that have an adverse side-effect profile may be beneficial in others. As a result, the 2019/20 General Medical Services (GMS) contract Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) [15] now recognises that frailty should be accounted for in the routine care of older people with diabetes and acknowledges that higher glycaemic targets may be appropriate in older adults living with frailty.

A further issue to consider when assessing HbA1c in older adults is the accuracy of the metric itself. There are multiple comorbidities that confound HbA1c values (Table 1). Any condition that increases red blood cell turnover, such as bleeding conditions (e.g. peptic ulcer disease) or haemolytic conditions (e.g. significant valvular disease), will artificially lower HbA1c values [16]. Conversely, for the majority of older adults who have reduced red blood cell turnover, increased cellular membrane friability and iron deficiency anaemia can result in an artificial elevation of the HbA1c value [17–19]. Even in healthy older adults eligible for inclusion in intensive glycaemic control trials, lower levels of fasting plasma glucose were found to be required to achieve a similar HbA1c [20].

Table 1.

Known modifiers of glycated haemoglobin values in older adults

Artificially increases HbA1c (higher risk of hypoglycaemia if aggressive targets are established)	Artificially reduces HbA1c (higher risk of complications of hyperglycaemia and hyperosmolarity)
Iron deficiency	Bleeding conditions (e.g. peptic ulcer disease)
B12 deficiency	Haemolytic conditions (e.g. valvular cardiac disease)
Anaemia of chronic disease	Haemoglobinopathies (thalassaemia/sickle cell etc.)
Chronic opioid use	Chronic liver disease

HbA1c Glycated haemoglobin

Once established, apart from age and gender, frailty is the single biggest predictor of mortality in older adults [10]. As a result, frailty, rather than comorbidity, underpins target setting, recommended interventions and treatment goals in older adults with diabetes (Table 2). It is important to remember that frailty is a dynamic process; a person’s frailty categorisation may change, hence the need for regular reassessment, particularly following a change in circumstances, such as moving to a care home, hospitalisation, increased adherence to medications or weight loss due to decreased appetite. Re-evaluation of frailty should occur, as a minimum, at the annual diabetes review, but earlier if there has been a change in health status, and 3 months after any intervention (escalation or de-escalation). Targets may need to be re-evaluated based on the development and diagnosis of co-existing chronic illnesses and/or changes in cognitive function and functional status. Individuals should be assessed for any signs of change in physical or mental status, or in vision or cardiovascular (CV) status. Frailty may improve if either recurrent hypoglycaemia or profound hyperglycaemia are rectified [21].

Table 2.

Target setting, recommended interventions and treatment goals according to frailty in older adults with diabetes

Level of frailty	Status	Treatment goals	Recommended interventions	Recommended targets
Healthy/pre-frail/mild frailty	• Functional and independent • Life expectancy of > 10 years	• Reverse frailty or limit its progression • Maintain functional status, independence and QoL • Prevent or delay macro/microvascular complications	• Tight glycaemic control • Resistance exercise and nutritional interventions • Statin therapy unless contraindicated/not tolerated	• HbA1c < 58 mmol/mol (< 7.5%), but ≥ 42 mmol/mol (≥ 6%) • FPG 5.0–7.2 mmol/L • BP < 140/90 mmHg
Moderate frailty	• > 2 comorbidities • Reduced life expectancy	• Prevent decline in QoL • Limit the progression of microvascular complications • Avoid metabolic emergencies such as hypoglycaemia	• Glycaemic control • Assess and reduce cognitive decline • Statin therapy unless contraindicated/not tolerated	• HbA1c < 64 mmol/mol (< 8.0%) • FPG 6.0–8.3 mmol/L • BP < 140/90 mmHg
Severe frailty	• Significant comorbidity and functional deficits, and limited independence • Markedly reduced life expectancy	• Improve QoL by reducing symptoms or hospitalisations • Maintain functional status, preventing further lower limb dysfunction, preventing significant disability	• Less aggressive glycaemic targets but avoid hypoglycaemia and be aware that hyperglycaemia can increase risk of infections and cause urinary incontinence, thirst and dehydration • Consider whether statin therapy is beneficial	• HbA1c < 69 mmol/mol (< 8.5%) • FPG 7.0–10.0 mmol/L • BP < 150/90 mmHg

A significant part of clinical decision making in older people with diabetes involves consideration of their frailty status, but this will vary in importance depending on the presence of other factors including severe comorbidity, vascular complications and cognitive impairment

BP Blood pressure, FPG fasting plasma glucose, QoL quality of life

Diet and Exercise

Frail older people with diabetes may also suffer from malnutrition or sarcopenia [22, 23]. Therefore, the management of diabetes in older people should also focus on diet and exercise [24]. Any resulting weight loss from lifestyle intervention in frail older people with diabetes or overweight should be modest (e.g. 5–7%) [24, 25]. Optimal nutrition with adequate protein intake is recommended for maintaining muscle volume in such patients [24]. However, it should be noted that there are potential disadvantages associated with high protein intake: for example, red meat intake may increase the risk of end-stage renal disease [26]. Therefore, maintaining a daily protein intake of 0.8 g protein/kg is recommended for both healthy individuals and those with diabetes and chronic kidney disease [27].

As it is now clear that the functional deficits associated with frailty in older adults with diabetes can be reversed [28], it is important that older adults with type 2 diabetes are encouraged to exercise regularly, if such activities can be carried out safely [24]. These exercises include weight-bearing activity, aerobic activity and/or resistance training [24]. Loss of skeletal muscle strength is accelerated in older adults with type 2 diabetes versus those without type 2 diabetes [29]. Mild exercise is likely to reduce muscle atrophy [30, 31] and improve quality of life (QoL).

Hypoglycaemia in Older Adults with Diabetes

Hypoglycaemic events can be distressing for people with diabetes at any age. Many learn to recognise the symptoms and self-manage impending events, but repeated exposure to hypoglycaemia can lead to impaired counter-regulation and ‘hypoglycaemia unawareness’, such that symptoms become attenuated and/or manifest only at very low glucose levels, rendering the person less able to respond [32]. Consequently, hypoglycaemia becomes increasingly problematic with age. Furthermore, in frail older adults, hypoglycaemic symptoms such as dizziness, confusion and visual disturbances, which often present more commonly than adrenergic symptoms (palpitations, sweating, tremors), can be mistaken for dementia or neurological problems [33, 34]. Indeed, vague nonspecific symptoms of confusion, loss of confidence, imbalance and falls, impaired sleep or nightmares and cognitive decline are all common in frail older adults with and without diabetes [35].

Older adults with type 2 diabetes are more prone to hypoglycaemia as a result of various factors, including polypharmacy [36, 37], endocrine deficits, suboptimal water and food intake and cognitive impairment, as well as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and renal dysfunction [34, 38, 39]. In addition to being at increased risk of hypoglycaemia, frail older adults are more vulnerable to its consequences. Hypoglycaemia in older people increases the risk of serious outcomes, such as falls, fractures, cognitive decline, hospitalisation, CV events (thought to involve cardiac conduction disturbances) and all-cause mortality [40]. In the landmark ACCORD trial, the risk of severe hypoglycaemia increased with age and, for participants reporting severe hypoglycaemia, mortality was increased threefold [41]. This study also showed a potential harm for people with type 2 diabetes and high CV risk who were treated intensively to achieve an ambitious glycaemic target [42], and this has led to guidelines relaxing recommended HbA1c targets for older adults. Additionally, the presence of comorbidities such as osteoporosis or of conditions requiring anticoagulation may further compound the effects of a fall resulting from a hypoglycaemic episode. Even mild hypoglycaemic events can be consequential for older people, since they can raise concerns about an individual’s driving competence, social isolation issues, self-care capacity, confidence and cognitive status, as well as impacting upon emotional wellbeing [21] [40].

It follows that the avoidance of hypoglycaemia must be a paramount concern in the diabetes management of the frail older adult, and it cannot be assumed that regimens previously well tolerated in this respect will remain so. The treatments for type 2 diabetes with the greatest propensity for causing hypoglycaemia are insulin and the insulin secretagogues: sulphonylureas (SUs) and glinides.

Review of Available Anti-hyperglycaemic Therapies

The pharmacological options for treating type 2 diabetes have increased greatly in recent years, and a comprehensive account is beyond the scope of this consensus report. For brevity, our consensus on the pros and cons of the various drug classes as they pertain to older adults are summarised in Table 3, and some further considerations are discussed below.

Table 3.

Pros and cons of antihyperglycaemic therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in older adults

Antihyperglycaemic therapy	Pro	Con
Metformin Alters mitochondrial cell energetics to inhibit gluconeogenesis, oppose the action of glucagon and increase insulin sensitivity [79]	• Inexpensive • Well-established, generally well-tolerated standard therapy • Potential CV benefit demonstrated in UKPDS study [80] • Low hypoglycaemia risk • Can be combined with all other diabetes therapies	• Reduced appetite and gastrointestinal disturbance • Possible association with vitamin B12 deficiency [81] • Moderate weight loss seen in some people may be undesirable with frailty • Contraindicated in severe renal failure • Should be used with caution in those with impaired hepatic function or cardiac failure, due to increased risk of lactic acidosis
Sulphonylureas and glinides Stimulate pancreatic insulin secretion regardless of blood glucose concentration [82]	• Inexpensive • Can be combined with other therapies • Increased potency in older adults may sometimes be beneficial	• Require functioning beta-cells • Hypoglycaemia risk [45] • Increased potency following weight loss (with improved insulin sensitivity) may further increase hypoglycaemia risk
DPP-4 inhibitors Inhibit breakdown of endogenous GLP-1, which glucose-dependently stimulates insulin secretion and inhibits glucagon secretion [82]	• Well tolerated • Formally tested in older adults [53] • May delay disease progression if used early with metformin • Low risk of hypoglycaemia [52] • Safe in all stages of renal failure, at an appropriate dose • No effect on weight	• Moderate glucose-lowering efficacy • Neutral effect (apart from saxagliptin) on CV death, MI, stroke and hospitalisation for heart failure [54], in contrast to SGLT-2is and GLP-1 RAs • Possible issues with increased hospitalisation for heart failure with saxagliptin (± alogliptin) [83] • Relatively expensive
SGLT-2 inhibitors Inhibit reabsorption of glucose (from renal tubules), leading to increased urinary glucose output and osmotic diuresis [84]	• CVOTs have shown reduction in MACE [57] • Benefits demonstrated for people with diabetes and heart failure [54] • Potential benefit in reducing progression of renal impairment [59] • Low hypoglycaemia risk	• Weight loss could result in sarcopenia • Risk of candidiasis • Potential increased urinary incontinence • Lack of glucose-lowering efficacy in established renal impairment [61] • Risk of euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis • Fluid volume depletion
GLP-1 RAs Stimulate insulin secretion, inhibit glucagon secretion and also reduce appetite. GLP-1 RAs work in a glucose-dependent manner [82]	• CVOTs have shown CV benefits with some, particularly in patients with ASCVD, and those at high risk of CV events [57, 58] • Renoprotective effects [59] • Low hypoglycaemia risk despite good glucose-lowering efficacy • Once-weekly administration possible with some [55] • A once-daily oral formulation of semaglutide is now available [56]	• Weight loss could result in sarcopenia • Nausea is common, and reduced appetite could be problematic • Most are given by sc injection • Relatively expensive
TZDs Increase cellular expression of glucose transporters, thereby increasing insulin sensitivity and peripheral glucose uptake [85]	• Generally well tolerated • Low hypoglycaemia risk • Potential CV benefit with pioglitazone [47]	• Fluid retention may exacerbate heart failure [19] • Risk of osteoporosis and fractures [49–51] • Ongoing debate regarding risk of bladder cancer [48]
Exogenous basal insulin Binds to insulin receptors in liver to inhibit glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, and binds to peripheral insulin receptors (muscle, adipose) to stimulate glucose uptake
NPH insulin [63]	• Established efficacy • Inexpensive	• Requires resuspension • May need twice-daily injections • Weight gain (limited harm) • Hypoglycaemia risk • Variable glucose-lowering effect from injection to injection
First-generation basal insulin analogues [54]   Insulin glargine   Insulin detemir	• Established efficacy • Lower hypoglycaemia risk than NPH insulin • Cost lower than ultra-long acting insulins • Once-daily injection possible • Insulin detemir associated with relatively little weight gain	• Requirement for injection at same time each day may be problematic • Hypoglycaemia risk
Ultra-long-acting insulin analogues [76]   Insulin degludec   Insulin glargine U300	• Established efficacy • Increased dosing flexibility • Lower hypoglycaemia risk than other basal insulins • Stable glucose-lowering action	• More expensive than other basal insulins (possibly offset by reduced need for nurse visits ± reduced doses and longer-lasting pens)

ASCVD Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, CV cardiovascular, CVOT cardiovascular outcome trial, DPP-4 dipeptidyl peptidase-4, GLP-1 glucagon-like peptide-1, GLP-1 RA glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, insulin glargine U300, MACE major adverse cardiovascular events, MI myocardial infarction, NPH neutral protamine Hagedorn, SGLT-2 sodium-glucose cotransporter-2, sc subcutaneous, TZD thiazolidinedione

The two drug types with the longest history of use in type 2 diabetes are metformin and the SUs. Metformin is widely regarded as a well-tolerated drug and it is routinely used as first-line therapy, with other agents added over time, to maintain glycaemic control. It is contraindicated in severe renal failure and should be used with caution in those with impaired hepatic function or cardiac failure due to increased risk of lactic acidosis. It is important to remember that these situations arise and progress with age and that reduced renal function will lead to increased drug exposure. As such, assessment of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before treatment with metformin, and every 3–6 months thereafter, is recommended, with adjustments to the dose if necessary [43]. It is recommended that the total maximum daily dose of metformin in people with mildly to moderately decreased renal function (eGFR 45–59 mL/min/1.73 m²), which is 2000 mg, is halved once the eGFR drops to < 45 mL/min/1.73 m² and that metformin is discontinued once the eGFR drops to < 30 mL/min/1.73 m² [43]. Metformin treatment is associated with reduced or maintained body weight, compared with weight gain for SUs [44].

SUs have had a more controversial history, with a well-documented hypoglycaemia risk as well as concerns over CV safety [45]. Recently published data from the CAROLINA CVOT were reassuring regarding CV risk [46], but the study did not include older frail adults. SUs vary in their duration of action and peak:trough ratios, and the shorter-acting second-generation SUs, such as gliclazide, carry a lower risk of hypoglycaemia than longer-acting SUs such as glyburide [45].

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are associated with a low risk of hypoglycaemia and, although not focussed on older adults, a meta-analysis of trials in participants with CVD found that pioglitazone lowered the risk of recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), stroke or myocardial infarction [47]. However, the risk of developing heart failure was increased [47]. Other concerns still surround the use of pioglitazone and the risk of bladder cancer [48], as well as a potential associated risk of osteoporosis and fractures [49–51], all of which are more frequent in older adults. Pioglitazone should therefore be used with caution in people with symptomatic heart disease or osteoporosis, and is contraindicated in those with a history of bladder cancer or active bladder cancer. Treatment with TZDs is associated with an increase in body weight [44].

Oral dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4is) have few side effects and are associated with a minimal risk of hypoglycaemia [52]. They have been formally evaluated in frail older adults, in whom they demonstrated an efficacy and safety profile similar to that seen in younger adults [53]. A recent meta-analysis of outcome data from completed CVOTs also suggested that, apart from saxagliptin, DPP-4is have a neutral effect on CV death, myocardial infarction, stroke and hospitalisation for heart failure [54]. However, their relatively high cost may be a barrier in some regions where medications have to be paid for directly. In terms of effect on body weight, DPP-4is have been shown to be weight-neutral or associated with reductions in body weight [44].

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) may be safely initiated in primary care. Although they are given by subcutaneous (sc) injection, which requires sufficient visual, motor and cognitive skills for administration, there are once-weekly options [55], and a once-daily oral formulation of semaglutide is now available [56]. In a meta-analysis of older adults (> 65 years) eligible for enrolment in CVOTs, treatment with GLP-1 RAs was associated with a 15.2% reduction in MACE [57]. Of particular relevance to the older population, stroke, as a component of MACE, is significantly reduced by the use of GLP-1 RAs [58]. These benefits are manifested in months, rather than years, which may be especially relevant for the older frail adult, for whom life expectancy is more limited. There is also evidence that GLP-1 RAs have renoprotective effects [59]. Results of a meta-analysis found that treatment with GLP-1 RAs in adults with type 2 diabetes was associated with maintained or reduced body weight [44]. However, GLP-1 RAs may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, which could be problematic in frailer adults, in whom weight loss is a poor prognostic indicator. Similarly, their effect on appetite suppression, whilst being an advantage in younger populations, may be detrimental in the frail elderly patient. While GLP-1 RAs may be attractive choices in the healthy older adult, there is no evidence currently supporting their use in frail older adults.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is), administered orally, are easy to initiate in primary care [60]. However, their glucose-lowering efficacy diminishes with declining renal function, which should be monitored regularly [61]. The benefit in MACE outcomes attributed to SGLT-2is is predominantly driven by their benefit in older adults. Indeed, a recent meta-analysis of outcome data from completed CVOTs stratified by age suggested that SGLT-2is reduced MACE outcomes in an older population by 16.9% whilst having no impact in younger populations [57]. Although the data were not specific to older adults, hospitalisations due to heart failure were also shown to be reduced (by 28%; p < 0.001) in a pooled analysis of three CVOTs with SGLT-2is [54]. Again, benefits manifested within months, particularly in heart failure, which may be especially relevant for the frail older adult. There is also evidence that SGLT-2is have renoprotective effects, slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease [59]. SGLT-2is cause weight loss through glucosuria and carry a risk of urinary incontinence [62]. In our clinical experience, the risk of candidiasis with SGLT-2is is also exaggerated in older adults. Finally, it should also be noted that the increased diuresis induced by SGLT-2is can lead to modest decreases in blood pressure that may be more pronounced in people with very high blood glucose concentrations, with a risk of hypotension and falls. While there is some evidence that SGLT-2is may be attractive choices in the healthy older adult, there is no evidence currently supporting their use in frail older adults.

Insulin was once considered a treatment of last resort in type 2 diabetes, but the availability of long-acting basal insulin analogues, such as insulin degludec or insulin glargine U300, with a relatively low risk of hypoglycaemia compared with earlier products and flexible dose timing [63], has led to increasing use at earlier stages of type 2 diabetes, with easier initiation by primary care teams. Nevertheless, a lot of fear can still surround the use of insulin in older adults, with uncertainties over balancing glycaemic control/stability with hypoglycaemia risk, and how and when to initiate. The use of a long-acting basal insulin with a higher target fasting plasma glucose, in the 7–12 mmol/L range, can accomplish adequate glycaemic control with a low risk of hypoglycaemia. Furthermore, the ultra-long acting insulins offer a greater flexibility for administration by a caregiver should the older person with diabetes not have sufficient visual and motor skills, and/or cognitive ability, to administer insulin on their own. Degludec and insulin glargine U300 have been shown to have durations of action of beyond 42 h and up to 36 h, respectively [64, 65]. Dosing of each may be once daily at any time of the day, and preferably at the same time every day. On occasions when administration at the same time of the day is not possible, degludec allows for flexibility in dose timing as long as a minimum of 8 h between injections is ensured [64]. Similarly, when needed, people with diabetes may administer glargine U300 up to 3 h before or after their usual time of administration [64]. Multiple daily injections may be too complex for older frail adults, whilst providing an unnecessary degree of tight glycaemic control, and low doses of once-daily basal insulin analogues may be a reasonable option in many.

Glycaemic Management in Older Adults with Diabetes, According to Frailty

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) provide detailed treatment algorithms for the management of diabetes in healthy adults. Based on the knowledge that disease-modifying agents such as GLP-1 RAs and SGLT-2is have a similar benefit in older adults eligible to participate in the large, multinational, randomised controlled trials, we suggest that fit older adults aged < 75 years should follow an algorithm based on the ADA/EASD consensus statement [52]. The only potential exception is that of the use of TZDs for the management of diabetes in patients for whom hypoglycaemia should be avoided; this class of oral antihyperglycaemic drugs is relegated to a reserve position due to their impact on osteoporosis and risk of heart failure.

In line with the section of the ADA/EASD guidelines, however, we believe that the choice of agents for the management of diabetes in older adults should be based on frailty status and the extent of co-existing chronic illness and cognitive and functional status [6, 52, 66]. We recommend following the simple glycaemic management algorithm depicted in Fig. 1 for older adults with type 2 diabetes, according to their level of frailty.

Fig. 1.

Treatment escalation and simplification/de-escalation plan for older adults living with type 2 diabetes and with no or mild frailty (a), moderate frailty (b) or severe frailty (c). Moderate frailty is defined as individuals with > 2 comorbidities, some impairments in activities of daily living with a reduced life expectancy. Severe frailty comprises significant comorbidity, functional deficits and limited independence; i.e. conditions likely to cause a markedly reduced life expectancy. Severe frailty guidelines are largely ‘evidence-free’ and represent stakeholders’ recommendations. Patients may already be receiving treatment with metformin, SUs or their combination plus or minus basal or premix insulin. ^†At time of publication, treatment with any SGLT-2i can be initiated at eGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m² for the management of hyperglycaemia: canagliflozin can be initiated at > 45 mL/min/1.73 m² or > 30 mL/min/1.73 m² in people with proteinuria; dapagliflozin can be initiated at any HbA1c for the management of heart failure. All SGLT-2is are less efficacious at reducing hyperglycaemia at lower eGFRs. ^‡Expert recommendation. ASCVD Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, BNP B-type natriuretic peptide, degludec insulin degludec, DPP-4i dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, eGFR estimated glomerular filtration rate, FPG fasting plasma glucose, GLP-1 RA glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, HbA1c glycated haemoglobin, HF heart failure, IDegLira fixed-ratio combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide, IGlar U300 insulin glargine 300 units/mL, LixiLan fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine and lixisenatide, NPH neutral protamine Hagedorn, SU sulphonylurea, SGLT-2i sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, TZD thiazolidinedione

Individuals may already be receiving treatment with metformin, SUs or their combination plus or minus basal or premix insulin. In some cases, discontinuation of certain drugs is advocated, but with suitable replacements suggested. When escalating therapy, the risk of hypoglycaemia should be considered for those on insulin or SUs. It is not necessary to automatically discontinue an SU if there is no evidence of hypoglycaemia, although the dose should be reduced in the short term. For people on neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) or premix insulin, switching to a basal insulin analogue (glargine, detemir, or degludec) with a DPP-4i can be considered.

Treatment Simplification/De-escalation Guidance in the Glycaemic Management of Older Adults with Diabetes

As a person with diabetes gets older, simplification, switching or de-escalation of the therapeutic regimen may be necessary, depending on the level of frailty and HbA1c levels. When contemplating modification of a diabetes regimen, it is helpful to conduct a basic audit of the status of the person with diabetes. An individual at advanced age (e.g. ≥ 75 years), identified as being moderately or severely frail, with an HbA1c value < 53 mmol/mol (< 7.0%) would suggest a high risk of occurrence of complications from hypoglycaemia. Consideration should be given to de-escalation of therapies that may induce this feared complication, such as SUs or SU + insulin combinations. A recent assessment of > 190,000 people with type 2 diabetes found that, while mean HbA1c was suboptimal in younger adults, it was approximately 52 mmol/mol (6.9%) in those aged ≥ 75 years [67]. HbA1c also tended to be lower in adults with advanced comorbidities, and the use of SUs increased with age, likely the legacy of a longer duration of disease and/or treatment. Furthermore, a recent cohort study of older people with type 2 diabetes found that those in poorer health were most likely to be using insulin at age 75 years, with subsequent discontinuation more common in healthier older adults [68]. These findings suggest that over-treatment of older adults is common, perhaps unintentionally, as a result of legacy regimens that have now become too potent as frailty has increased. There will, however, also be individuals whose QoL is impacted upon unintentionally by a too lax glycaemic control.

Many frail older adults with type 2 diabetes will have had their regimens intensified over preceding years when they were in better health, and many others will have had their regimens intensified or been started on SUs or insulin more recently during acute hospital admissions (e.g. for infections), when their blood glucose levels might have been atypically high. In addition, in older frail adults who start to receive assistance in taking their medications, either following admittance to a care home or in another setting, treatment adherence that may previously have been poor can suddenly improve dramatically, leading to a fall in HbA1c levels. It should not be assumed that treatment regimens that have been intensified historically or those that were initiated in hospitals should continue indefinitely. In the latter case, a return to pre-admission medications may be needed to avoid hypoglycaemia, although, in the case of longstanding symptomatic poor control, the escalated regimen may be appropriate if it is tolerated and the older adult is not severely frail. Primary care teams therefore need to consider each person with diabetes individually, but they should feel empowered to de-escalate a discharge regimen if appropriate. Evidence suggests that simplification, reduction or even complete withdrawal of hypoglycaemic medications in older people with diabetes is feasible without deterioration of glycaemic control [69]. As frailty ensues, older adults lose adipose tissue, which, in turn, reduces underlying insulin resistance. As a result, much smaller doses of insulin are often sufficient to provide adequate and reproducible glycaemic control.

For older adults with diabetes, attending medical appointments may be difficult or impractical. In such cases, teleconsultations may be a suitable alternative [70–72]. Remote blood glucose monitoring linked to web-based cloud technologies allows for the transfer of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data directly to healthcare professionals (e.g. intermittent CGM) [73, 74]. However, the suitability of these telemedicine activities for the individual should be carefully considered, as they may not be effective in all cases [71, 75].

Older adults with diabetes who have inadequate glycaemic control or recurrent hypoglycaemia on their current treatment regimen, who have had a significant change in circumstances, such as a move into a care home, or who are no longer be able to manage complex insulin therapy (may also apply to those with mild frailty whose cognitive or functional ability declines) may benefit from regimen simplification or de-escalation. We recommend following the simple algorithm depicted in Fig. 1 for treatment simplification/de-escalation in the glycaemic management of older adults with type 2 diabetes. De-escalation of non-insulin glucose-lowering regimens can be achieved by either lowering the dose or discontinuing some medications. Insulin regimens can either be de-escalated by reduction of the dose or simplified by switching to more manageable regimens with lower risk of hypoglycaemia such as, for example, from premix insulins to a basal insulin analogue with or without a GLP-1 RA or SGLT-2i [76, 77]. Glucose monitoring in older adults with type 2 diabetes should be increased after any switch in insulin therapy, with the dosages adjusted on an individual basis and dependent on the previous insulin regimen [64, 65]. It is important to be mindful that SUs and GLP-1 RAs raise endogenous insulin secretion, hence they decrease the unit-dose requirement for exogenous insulin compared with insulin monotherapy. A sensible approach would be either to reduce the dose of SU when administered in combination with insulin or to discontinue SU treatment altogether, in favour of insulin monotherapy with close metabolic monitoring during and after any change in regimen. TZDs also increase sensitivity to insulin, so, again, compensatory dose adjustments are required when these are used in combination with insulin. In a small proportion of individuals, stopping insulin suddenly can precipitate diabetic ketoacidosis, so insulin should be withdrawn slowly and response to each dose adjustment should be monitored, ideally within 1 month. A single early-morning urinary C-peptide to creatinine ratio measurement [78] can provide reassurance that there is sufficient residual pancreatic function to safely de-escalate and discontinue insulin, but this may have to be organised by secondary care teams for people living in the community.

Often during reviews of frail older adults, individuals will be identified with a low HbA1c (< 48 mmol/mol; < 6.5%). It should be considered that insulin resistance may have subsided sufficiently that no therapies are required. In this scenario, it is reasonable to discontinue all antihyperglycaemic agents and review control after 3 months against an individualised HbA1c goal. Anti-hyperglycaemic therapies can work in synergy, hence the removal of one (even low-dose) component of a regimen can result in a dramatic rise in HbA1c (rebound hyperglycaemia). This highlights the importance of monitoring HbA1c and reviewing the individual if medication is de-escalated. Care must be taken to identify those who may be at risk of rebound hyperglycaemia if on multiple agents even if HbA1c is < 48 mmol/mol (< 6.5%) and, therefore, in such circumstances, a pragmatic/sequential cessation of medication may be required. In such people, previous glycaemic control/HbA1c and medication commencement history may support rapid or slower discontinuation. HbA1c can rise sharply after stopping an SU, even if this has been taken for many years, so it may be appropriate to restart at a lower dose in such cases.

People living with diabetes should be reviewed after each change in regimen (i.e. a 3-month review programme with an HbA1c measurement after every withdrawal) to check that glycaemic control (and other risk factor management) is appropriate for their frailty category, and also to check whether frailty status has changed. In all cases, it is important to explain to the individual (and relatives) that the reasons for de-escalation are concerned with improving symptoms, function and QoL, frailty status and comorbidity in order to avoid the misconception that de-escalation represents ‘giving up hope’.

Whilst focus is made on de-escalation and avoidance of hypoglycaemia, it is equally important to remember that complex regimens and multiple medications will contribute to pill burden and polypharmacy, which can have a significant impact on the individual (who may already be on multiple other medications, given associations with comorbidities). Therefore, a regular review of medication is recommended, and considerations should be made for simplification of regimens, where possible, to reduce pill burden, including consideration of combination therapies. This may also improve overall adherence to medication regimens, not just those for the treatment of diabetes, and help reduce both the cost of treatment and medication errors.

Summary and Conclusions

The management of older adults with type 2 diabetes is complicated by comorbidities, shortened life expectancy and exaggerated consequences of adverse effects from treatment, such as hypoglycaemia. The assessment of frailty should be a routine component of a diabetes review for all older adults, and then glycaemic targets and therapeutic choices should be modified accordingly. After each intervention, frailty should be reassessed, cognisant of the fact that frailty is a dynamic process and may be improved by the elimination of both hyper- and hypoglycaemia.