Management Plan for 82-Year-Old Female with Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes and Multiple Comorbidities
The most appropriate management plan for this 82-year-old female patient with poorly controlled diabetes, elevated liver enzymes, and multiple comorbidities should focus on adjusting her diabetes medication regimen to target an HbA1c of 7.5-8.0%, addressing her elevated liver enzymes, and managing her comorbidities with a less aggressive approach appropriate for her age.
Diabetes Management
Glycemic Targets
- Target HbA1c: 7.5-8.0% is appropriate for this 82-year-old patient with multiple comorbidities 1
- Current HbA1c of 7.5% is at the lower end of the target range, but her fasting glucose of 150 mg/dL indicates room for improvement in glycemic control
- Less stringent targets are appropriate due to her advanced age and multiple chronic conditions 1
Medication Adjustments
Continue metformin (if currently prescribed) as first-line therapy unless contraindicated 1
Consider adding or adjusting insulin therapy:
- Current elevated glucose levels despite HbA1c at target suggests potential glycemic variability
- If on insulin, consider switching to once-daily basal insulin (glargine) to simplify regimen 2
- Starting dosage for insulin glargine in patients with type 2 diabetes who are not currently on insulin is 0.2 units/kg or up to 10 units once daily 3
- Monitor for hypoglycemia, especially given her age and risk factors 3
Consider SGLT2 inhibitor if eGFR permits (current eGFR is 81 mL/min/1.73m²):
- Beneficial for patients with eGFR 30-90 ml/min/1.73m² 2
- Provides cardiovascular and renal protection
Elevated Liver Enzymes Management
- Investigate cause of elevated liver enzymes (AST 67 IU/L, ALT 67 IU/L, ALP 139 IU/L)
- Consider medication-induced liver injury, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or other causes
- Order liver ultrasound to evaluate for fatty liver or other structural abnormalities
- Review all current medications for potential hepatotoxicity
- Consider referral to gastroenterology if liver enzymes remain persistently elevated
Cardiovascular Risk Management
Blood Pressure Control
- Target BP: <140/90 mmHg for patients with diabetes and hypertension 1, 2
- Current antihypertensive regimen should include an ACE inhibitor or ARB 1
- Monitor for orthostatic hypotension given her age 2
Lipid Management
- Continue statin therapy for cardiovascular risk reduction 2
- Consider high-intensity statin (e.g., rosuvastatin 20-40 mg) unless contraindicated 2
- Target LDL-C should be <70 mg/dL for patients with diabetes at high cardiovascular risk 2
Management of Other Comorbidities
Osteoporosis
- Ensure adequate vitamin D supplementation (patient has vitamin D deficiency)
- Consider calcium supplementation if dietary intake is inadequate
- Continue osteoporosis treatment (bisphosphonate or other therapy if already prescribed)
Psoriasis
- Evaluate current psoriasis treatment effectiveness
- Consider dermatology referral if poorly controlled
Peripheral Neuropathy
- Assess for symptoms and foot examination
- Consider gabapentin or pregabalin for symptomatic neuropathy if needed
Monitoring Plan
- Follow-up within 2 weeks to assess response to medication adjustments 2
- Laboratory monitoring:
- Comprehensive metabolic panel to monitor liver enzymes and kidney function
- Fasting glucose and repeat HbA1c in 3 months
- Lipid panel to assess statin effectiveness
- Regular screening:
- Annual eye examination for diabetic retinopathy
- Annual foot examination
- Annual urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio to assess for nephropathy 2
Lifestyle Recommendations
- Physical activity: At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week as tolerated, appropriate for her age and comorbidities 2
- Diet: Focus on consistent carbohydrate intake and portion control; Mediterranean diet may be beneficial for both diabetes and liver health 2
- Education: Provide comprehensive diabetes education on medication adherence, recognition and treatment of hypoglycemia, and home blood glucose monitoring 2
Key Considerations for Elderly Patients with Diabetes
- Avoid overtreatment: Risk of hypoglycemia outweighs benefits of intensive glycemic control in elderly patients 1
- Simplify medication regimens to improve adherence 2
- Consider medication burden and potential drug interactions 2
- Focus on quality of life and preventing acute complications rather than long-term complications
This management plan prioritizes the patient's safety while addressing her multiple medical conditions in a coordinated approach appropriate for her age and comorbidities.