Discovery of diabetes in the elderly: what diagnosis?

Ann Biol Clin (Paris). 2017 Apr 1;75(2):222-224. doi: 10.1684/abc.2017.1234.

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10% of all diabetes cases. It appears most often during childhood or adolescence. We report the case of a hypertensive overweight patient of 79 years who consulted for asthenia in context of polyuria-polydipsia syndrome in which blood glucose assay revealed a diabetes mellitus associated with ketosis. Despite the age, the body mass index and the history of the patient, type 1 diabetes diagnosis should be considered in this clinical presentation with brutal and symptomatic early. The imagery excluding a pancreatic tumor and positive research of circulating autoantibodies will confirm the diagnosis.

Keywords: elderly; glycaemia; ketosis; type 1 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia / complications
  • Hyperglycemia / diagnosis*
  • Late Onset Disorders
  • Polydipsia / complications
  • Polydipsia / diagnosis*
  • Polyuria / complications
  • Polyuria / diagnosis*
  • Weight Loss / physiology