[Diabetes: glycemic targets and over-treatment in older patients].

Diabetic glycemic targets in older patients must reflect their preferences, clinical status and life expectancy. The presence of multiple comorbidities as well as functional or cognitive impairment are better predictors than age alone of both limited life expectancy and reduced benefit of intensive treatment. For most of these patients, the harms of intensive diabetes therapy outweigh the benefits. Our retrospective study analyzing 257 diabetic patients hospitalized in a geriatric ward shows a very high incidence of over-treatment and suggests the need to review our practices and to adopt individualized treatment goals.