Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Older People With Diabetes Mellitus and Cognitive Impairment: A Brief Review.

backgroundDiabetes mellitus and dementia are common chronic diseases affecting older people in the community and in hospitals. Even though both diseases have been independently well-characterized, comorbid diabetes and dementia/cognitive impairment are much less understood. In particular, cognitive impairment can make glucose monitoring much more challenging and can more readily lead to diabetes-related emergencies such as hypoglycemia, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, or diabetic ketoacidosis. Based on this, improving diabetes management in the community and in the hospital settings via glucose monitoring is essential in older people with T2DM and particularly those with comorbid diabetes and dementia.

aimThe use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) holds promise for greater glycemic management in older patients with diabetes and those at high risk for dementia. In this brief review, we will review the few existing studies for CGM use in the community and the hospital in this population, as well as the link between hospital admissions.

resultsExisting studies show high feasibility and good adherence with using CGM among older people. In addition, diabetes technologies can improve risk factors associated with hospitalization, leading to decreased hospitalization rates. We illustrate how the current studies highlight the need for studies in the hospital in this frail population, who potentially will benefit most from CGM systems.

conclusionAlthough existing feasibility studies show high promise in this frail population, more data are needed on CGM for older people living with diabetes and memory problems in the hospital setting.