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- Older Adults with Diabetes in Korea: Latest Clinical and Epidemiologic Trends
- Kyuho Kim, Bongseong Kim, Kyuna Lee, Yu-Bae Ahn, Seung-Hyun Ko, Sung Hee Choi, Kyungdo Han, Jae-Seung Yun, on Behalf of the Committee of Public Relation of the Korean Diabetes Association
- Diabetes Metab J. 2025;49(2):183-193. Published online March 1, 2025
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2024.0836
- 9,266 View
- 380 Download
- 4 Web of Science
- 6 Crossref
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Abstract
PDF
Supplementary Material
PubReader 
ePub - Background
Diabetes in older adults is becoming a significant public burden to South Korea. However, a comprehensive understanding of epidemiologic trends and the detailed clinical characteristics of older adults with diabetes is lacking. Therefore, we evaluated epidemiologic trends and the metabolic and lifestyle characteristics of diabetes in Korean older adults.
Methods
We analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to assess diabetes prevalence according to diabetes duration and lifestyle behaviors. In addition, we drew upon the National Health Information Database of the National Health Insurance System to assess physical activity levels, antidiabetic medication use, polypharmacy, medication adherence, and major comorbidities.
Results
The absolute number of newly diagnosed cases of diabetes among older adults doubled over the past decade. Management rates of metabolic indicators were higher in older adults with diabetes compared to those without diabetes. The proportion of older adults with diabetes meeting the minimum recommended physical activity increased over the years. Compared to 10 years before, the use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor had increased, as had comorbidities such as dyslipidemia, dementia, cancer, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and chronic kidney disease. Initial medication adherence was significantly lower in those with end-stage kidney disease or dementia, insulin use, high-risk alcohol use, and living alone. Continuing insulin use 1 year after diagnosis of diabetes was significantly higher in those who initiated insulin therapy at diagnosis, had retinopathy, were on triple antidiabetic medications, and had a history of cancer.
Conclusion
Comprehensive management of metabolic indicators and physical activity is essential for older adults with diabetes. Improvements in prescribing guidelines, personalized management of age-related comorbidities, and individualized approaches that consider the heterogeneous nature of older adults with diabetes are desirable. Further research, such as high-quality cohort and intervention studies specific to older adults, is needed to establish evidence-based management for older adults with diabetes. -
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
- Rising mortality from electrolyte and acid–base imbalances in the United States (1999–2020): a joinpoint regression analysis of national trends and disparities
Zaima Afzaal, Asma Chaudhary, Inshal Uddin Khattak, Saba Aliha, Asad Khan, Anas M Din Bashir, Hameer Ali, Amnah Khan, Aizaz Anwar Khalid, Wania Khan, Touqeer Rehman, Maryam Atif, Areen Zia, Mazia Mahnoor, Rumman Javed, Saad Ahmed Waqas, Raheel Ahmed, Soma
Annals of Medicine & Surgery.2026; 88(1): 362. CrossRef - The practice of family pharmacists in managing polypharmacy for home-based elderly patients
Shiyu Wang, Qingmao Luo, Jiahao Chen, Le Li, Aiqiu Liao, Yu Zou, Zhouqian Jiang, Jinzhuo Li, Wenyan Yi
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.2026; 15(2): 724. CrossRef - Exploring the Lack of Physical Activity among Adolescents Worldwide
Dalmacito A. Cordero Jr.
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal.2025; 49(3): 513. CrossRef - Clinical Considerations for Safe Use of SGLT2 Inhibitors
Jae-Seung Yun, Eonju Jeon
The Journal of Korean Diabetes.2025; 26(2): 60. CrossRef - A Position Statement on Management of Diabetes in Older Adults
Jae-Seung Yun, Jin Hwa Kim, Sung Hoon Yu, Kyung Ae Lee, Hye Seung Jung, Ji Hye Heo, Jong-Ha Baek, Dong Hyeok Cho
The Journal of Korean Diabetes.2025; 26(3): 141. CrossRef - Optimizing Physical Activity Strategies for Older Adults with Diabetes
Hyeon-Jin Yu, Doyoun Hong, Kyuho Kim, Ji Hye Heo, Dong-Hyeok Cho, Yoshitaka Hashimoto, Jae-Seung Yun
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal.2025; 49(6): 1178. CrossRef
- Rising mortality from electrolyte and acid–base imbalances in the United States (1999–2020): a joinpoint regression analysis of national trends and disparities
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