Blood Glucose and Diabetes Mellitus in Subjects Aged 85 Years or More

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Abstract
Blood and urine glucose values and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus were determined in the course of a health survey covering inhabitants of Tampere, Finland, aged 85 or over. Out of the total cohort, 561 (83%) subjects, of whom 82% were women, were examined. A high blood glucose level (.gtoreq. 7.0 mmol/l) was recorded in 10% of the males and 7% of the females. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the series was 17%. Five percent of the total series were on drug treatment for their diabetes; 5% of the diabetics were on insulin therapy and 25% took oral antidiabetic drugs, while 70% were either on diet or had no treatment. Diabetes seems to be common among the very aged, but it is generally mild and easy to treat.