In light of increased fatality from acute events and the increased frequency of chronic complications, life expectancy might well be shortened in older patients with diabetes. The current studies investigated factors affecting the likelihood of dying or being hospitalized in older patients with diabetes. A total of 135 older patients with diabetes were followed for 3 years after predictive factors were evaluated and compared with a cohort of patients without diabetes. Five factors predicted hospitalization and death. Of these, the geriatric depression score was the best predictor of these poor outcomes.
Dysphoria is a major predictor of poor outcomes in older patients with diabetes.