Individualized, non-age-based glycemic control in elderly veterans with diabetes.

Overview

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of age and endocrinology care in glycemic testing and control in elderly veterans with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this retrospective study of Veterans Health Administration clinic users aged > or = 65 years with diabetes, we compared glycemic testing and poor glycemic control (A1C > 9%) between older (> or = 75 years) and younger (65-74 years) veterans in the year 2000. RESULTS: Without adjustment, rates for glycemic testing were 70.2% in older and 71.1% in younger veterans, and those for poor control were 9.4% in older and 12.8% in younger veterans. After adjustment, older veterans had 1.8% lower probability of glycemic testing and 2.9% lower probability of poor control than younger veterans. Endocrinology care was associated with a higher probability of both glycemic testing (9.7%) and poor control (1.0%), regardless of age. CONCLUSIONS: Glycemic testing and control and effect of endocrinology care were comparable in older and younger veterans with diabetes.