Older adults with long-standing type 1 diabetes are a growing population globally due to rising
incidence and increasing longevity (1-6), but management strategies for these individuals have
not been a focus of investigation. Most research in older adults has concentrated on people with
type 2 diabetes, many of whom, in contrast to those with T1D, do not need insulin therapy. The
pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes and the development of cardiovascular and renal disease in
type 1 diabetes differs from that observed in type 2 diabetes (7). Reports from the United States
(US) show that the incidence of chronic vascular complications of diabetes, with the exception of
end stage renal disease, has declined in adults ≥65 years of age, but most of these individuals had
type 2 diabetes (8).
Studies examining treatment approaches and complications in type 1 diabetes in the elderly are
lacking. In Germany, patients with type 1 diabetes >60 years of age compared to those ≤60
years demonstrated greater microalbuminuria, retinopathy, myocardial infarctions, and strokes as
well as lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, and less use of insulin pump therapy (9).
Results from the Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications Study (10) suggest that in
type 1 diabetes, inadequate treatment of hypertension and microalbuminuria relate to major
adverse outcomes of diabetes (diabetes-related death, myocardial infarction, revascularization
procedure/blockage ≥50%, stroke, end stage renal disease, blindness, amputation). Optimal
blood pressure, lipid and glycemic goals (for the prevention of complications) for adults with
type 1 diabetes ≥ 60 years of age are also unclear. These may not be the same as those
recommended for younger patients with type 1 diabetes or for people with type 2 diabetes.
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Generally, in the elderly with diabetes, evaluation and management strategies emphasize the
prevention of complications that can adversely affect quality of life. In older adults in good
health, longer-term prevention and treatment of microvascular and macrovascular diabetesrelated
complications remain important goals. How best to accomplish these objectives in older
adults with type 1 diabetes is unclear. The primary aim of this study is to compare
demographic and anthropometric characteristics, management approaches, cardiovascular risk
factors, and diabetes-related complications in adults age 60 years or older with type 1 diabetes
from the US and Germany/Austria.