Diabetes Among Senior Population Is Increasing

The annual number of Americans aged 65 and over diagnosed with diabetes increased 23% between 1993-1994 and 2003-2004, according to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine (2008;168:192-199). The study used Medicare claims and other data to examine trends in the rates of diabetes and its complications. One-quarter of Medicare beneficiaries 65 and over had diabetes in 2003, up from 15% in 1994. The death rate for patients diagnosed with diabetes declined 8.3% over the period when compared with those who were not diagnosed with the disease. Most patients with diabetes experienced at least one complication within six years of diagnosis; for example, almost half had congestive heart failure. “For Medicare, the message is that the increased burden of diabetes will contribute to increased budgetary pressures in the future,” the authors said.