The use of insulin in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction: Older patients with diabetes sometimes present comorbidities that increase the risk of other common geriatric syndromes. In such patients, treatment with insulin is usually started when full doses of oral hypoglycemic agents are no longer adequate to achieve acceptable glycemic control. Areas covered: This article reviews the available literature on the use of insulin in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. The aims are to gain information on: the benefits and risks of initiating insulin treatment, the efficacy and safety of different types of insulin and the most appropriate initial dosing and titration regimens. Thirteen published trials have evaluated the effects of different insulin regimens in the management of elderly subjects with type 2 diabetes but, given that older people are generally excluded in clinical studies with insulin, only three published reports on subgroup analyses are limited to elderly patients. Expert opinion: The available literature shows that the addition of insulin to current oral treatments is generally safe and effective in improving metabolic control, with a low risk for hypoglycemia. Further research is needed to better understand the most appropriate insulin regimens necessary to achieve glycemic goals while appropriately addressing the risk of hypoglycemia.