Problem cukrzycy u osób starszych w świetle najnowszych wytycznych Polskiego Towarzystwa Diabetologicznego 2011 Elderly population suffering from diabetes according to the guidelines of Polish Diabetic Association 2011 - diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most common illnesses in General Practitioner’s practice. It is also one of the biggest problems of modern medicine and health care. Occurrence in over 65 population is reaching 25-30%. According to WHO reports in 2010 there were over 220 million people suffering from diabetes (all types), in 2025 it has been estimated that there will be 333 millions of diabetics. In 2004, an estimated 3.4 million people died from consequences of high blood sugar. According to International Diabetes Federation there are currently 246 millions diabetics and the number is growing 7 millions per year. There are many diabetic scientific societies, and most publish their own guidelines for treatment. It has to be noticed that most of them are in major part cohesive (similar). Those guidelines are mostly concentrated on management of diabetes in childhood, or treatment of gestational diabetes. However standards for treating elderly patients are not so common. Diabetes in elderly patients is often combined with coexisting diseases, concomitant medications, and less obvious symptoms. This article is based on the Clinical Guidelines for Management of diabetes issued by Polish Diabetes Association in 2011. Geriatria 2011; 5: 309-314.