Survey Suggests Seniors With Diabetes May Favor More Aggressive Blood Sugar Control

A Johns Hopkins University (JHU) survey published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests seniors with type 2 diabetes are downplaying medical and social factors that underlie professional recommendations for fewer drugs and less aggressive treatment of high blood sugar, reports Medical Xpress . "What our study found is that many geriatrics . . . 65 years or older, with type 2 diabetes perceive their treatment plans much differently than do their care providers, and may be more likely to choose a more aggressive treatment plan than what guidelines recommend, which poses greater risk for complications, injury, or even death," said JHU Professor Nancy Schoenborn. Many seniors particularly disagreed with recommendations to discontinue a medication. "We need to do a better job helping them understand the benefits and consequences of making changes to treatment regimens that must evolve over time on an individualized basis," Schoenborn emphasized. American Diabetes Association guidelines generally advise less aggressive treatment for persons with long-standing diabetes, but 60 percent of survey respondents felt that the longer one lived with diabetes, the more aggressive treatment should be. Less aggressive treatment also is recommended for seniors with other health conditions and those who already have had complications from diabetes — but 76 percent of respondents thought those who already have complications should be treated more aggressively than those lacking. Sixty-seven percent agreed people with other health conditions need more aggressive treatment as well.