The epidemiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus in older adults.

ABSTRACT: Although type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is traditionally viewed as a youth-onset disorder, the number of older adults being diagnosed with this disease is growing. Improvements in the average life expectancy of people with T1DM have also contributed to the growing number of older people living with this disease. We summarize the evidence regarding the epidemiology (incidence, prevalence and excess mortality) of T1DM in older adults (ages ≥60 years) as well as the genetics, immunology and diagnostic challenges. Several studies report an incidence peak of T1DM in older adults of a similar size to or exceeding that in children, and population prevalence generally increases with increasing age. Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody positivity is frequently observed in adult-onset T1DM. Guideli

SUBMITTER: Tomic D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12240003 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature