Nutrition Therapy in Elderly People with Diabetes

Abstract

As in the world, the elderly population is increasing in Turkey. The incidence of diabetes is high in the elderly population. According to Turkey Diabetes Epidemiology Study 2 (TURDEP 2), diabetic patients over 65 years of age constitute about 40% of all diabetic patients. The presence of concomitant diseases such as weakness, accelerated muscle loss, coronary heart disease, stroke and hypertension and the rate of early death are higher in elderly people with diabetes than those without diabetes. The cornerstone of treatment is the education of the patient or the person responsible for patient care. Firstly, medical nutrition therapy (TBT) and lifestyle changes are recommended to patients. Age-related changes (loss of teeth, changes in taste and odor, absorption disorders due to gastrointestinal system changes, use of multiple drugs, etc.) should be considered while planning nutritional therapy. The aims of nutrition treatment of elderly diabetic must be prevention of acute hyperglycemic complications, prevention of hypoglycemia, prevention or delay of chronic complications such as cardiovascular complications, nephropathy, neuropathy. The priority is to eliminate the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia, to provide normal life expectancy in the elderly diabetic in good general condition and consciousness. In frail elderly, the aim is to prevent acute metabolic complications. Nutritional status of elderly people with diabetes should be evaluated well. The presence of malnutrition as well as the presence of obesity is frequently seen in elderly diabetic patient. Food consumption record, body weight change, anthropometric measurements, laboratory data and mini nutritional assessment (MNA) are important to assess the nutritional status of the elderly diabetic.