Diabetes and dementia: the dangerous liaisons?
Nguyen, S.; Major, K.; Démonet, J.-F.; Smith, C.; Rubli, E.; Humbert, M.; Büla, C.
Revue Medicale Suisse 10(449): 2090
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1660-9379 PMID: 25536829 Document Number: 671931
As population ages, a growing number of older patients present the constellation of diabetes and dementia. Numerous recent studies highlight that diabetes may increase the risk for Alzheimer and vascular dementia. Among patients with previous severe hypoglycemia, that risk may even double. Inversely demented patients have about three times higher risk of hypoglycemia. Given that spiral link between hypoglycemia and dementia, the latter should be considered as a possible complication of diabetes and consistently be screened for among older diabetic patients. Furthermore, the American Diabetes Association and American Geriatric Society consensus recommends a more flexible glycemic treatment goal of AIC among demented patients, with a target range between 8 and 9%.