Liberating A1C goals in older adults may not protect against the risk of hypoglycemia

Aims: Hemoglobin A1C is universally used as a marker for glycemic control and to establish glycemic goals in patients with diabetes. In the older population, experts recommend liberating A1C goals to decrease the risk of hypoglycemia. However, it's not clear which A1C level is optimal for this purpose. This study's aim was to understand the relationship between A1C levels and risk of hypoglycemia. Methods: In a prospective study, we performed continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) on older adults on insulin. Hypoglycemia duration and A1C were measured at baseline while patients were on multiple insulin injections, and again after de-intensification to once-a-day basal insulin with non-insulin agents. Results: We assessed" 65 patients; mean age76 +/- 6 years with on average 3.7 +/- 1.3 insulin injections/day. At baseline, 26% of the patients had Al C < 7% (53 mmol/mol), 42% between 7.1% and 8% (54-64 mmol/mol), 21% between 8.1% and 9% (65-75 mmol/mol), and 11% >9% (76 mmol/mol). The duration of hypoglycemia (<70 mg/di, <60 mg/dl, <50 mg/dl) was not different between the Alc groups, regardless of treatment intensity (multiple insulin injections or once-a-day-basal insulin with non-insulin agents). Conclusions: A1C levels are not associated with hypoglycemia risk in older population with type-2 diabetes on insulin therapy. Higher A1C goals do not protect against hypoglycemia. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.