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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC 4.0Clinical Interventions in Aging

Clinical Characteristics and Comprehensive Management of Multimorbidity in Older Adults with Diabetes: A Narrative Review

  • Mei Wu1
  • Chunli Zhang2
  • Yongmei Wang3
  • Yuan Zhao4
4 affiliations
  1. 1School of Nursing, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, People’s Republic of China
  2. 2Department of Rehabilitation, Eryuan County People’s Hospital of Dali Prefecture, Dali, Yunnan, People’s Republic of China
  3. 3Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, People’s Republic of China
  4. 4School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, People’s Republic of China
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Abstract

With the acceleration of population aging and the progressive decline in physiological function, older adults with diabetes frequently present with multiple chronic conditions. This not only increases the complexity of clinical management but also adversely affects disease prognosis, quality of life, and the efficient allocation of healthcare resources. Traditional single-disease-centered management models are increasingly inadequate for addressing the complex and heterogeneous healthcare needs of these patients. Consequently, there is an urgent need to shift toward personalized and integrated management strategies guided by patients’ overall health status and functional needs. A literature search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science for studies published from 2014 to 2026, using combinations of keywords related to diabetes, older adults, multimorbidity, comorbidity, polypharmacy, comprehensive geriatric assessment, and multidisciplinary management. Inclusion criteria encompassed original studies, clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical guidelines, and consensus statements focusing on multimorbidity and its management in older adults with diabetes. Studies unrelated to the target population or research topic were excluded. The available evidence indicates that multimorbidity in older adults with diabetes is characterized by complex interactions across multiple organ systems and presents substantial challenges in therapeutic decision-making, polypharmacy, and treatment adherence. Comprehensive geriatric assessment, individualized treatment targets, shared decision-making, medication optimization and deintensification, and multidisciplinary collaboration represent important approaches to addressing these challenges. Emerging technologies, including real-time continuous glucose monitoring, electronic health records, digital health platforms, and integrated data analytics, may further facilitate dynamic risk monitoring, coordinated decision-making, and continuity of care. Overall, management should progressively shift from a disease-centered paradigm toward personalized, integrated, and function-oriented care, with greater emphasis on preserving functional independence, minimizing treatment burden, and improving quality of life in older adults with diabetes and multimorbidity.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{wu2026clinical,
  title = {{Clinical Characteristics and Comprehensive Management of Multimorbidity in Older Adults with Diabetes: A Narrative Review}},
  author = {Mei Wu and Chunli Zhang and Yongmei Wang and Yuan Zhao},
  journal = {Clinical Interventions in Aging},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.2147/cia.s638079},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.2147/cia.s638079},
  note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Clinical Characteristics and Comprehensive Management of Multimorbidity in Older Adults with Diabetes: A Narrative Review
AU  - Mei Wu
AU  - Chunli Zhang
AU  - Yongmei Wang
AU  - Yuan Zhao
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/24
JO  - Clinical Interventions in Aging
DO  - 10.2147/cia.s638079
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2147/cia.s638079
AB  - With the acceleration of population aging and the progressive decline in physiological function, older adults with diabetes frequently present with multiple chronic conditions. This not only increases the complexity of clinical management but also adversely affects disease prognosis, quality of life, and the efficient allocation of healthcare resources. Traditional single-disease-centered management models are increasingly inadequate for addressing the complex and heterogeneous healthcare needs of these patients. Consequently, there is an urgent need to shift toward personalized and integrated management strategies guided by patients’ overall health status and functional needs. A literature search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science for studies published from 2014 to 2026, using combinations of keywords related to diabetes, older adults, multimorbidity, comorbidity, polypharmacy, comprehensive geriatric assessment, and multidisciplinary management. Inclusion criteria encompassed original studies, clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical guidelines, and consensus statements focusing on multimorbidity and its management in older adults with diabetes. Studies unrelated to the target population or research topic were excluded. The available evidence indicates that multimorbidity in older adults with diabetes is characterized by complex interactions across multiple organ systems and presents substantial challenges in therapeutic decision-making, polypharmacy, and treatment adherence. Comprehensive geriatric assessment, individualized treatment targets, shared decision-making, medication optimization and deintensification, and multidisciplinary collaboration represent important approaches to addressing these challenges. Emerging technologies, including real-time continuous glucose monitoring, electronic health records, digital health platforms, and integrated data analytics, may further facilitate dynamic risk monitoring, coordinated decision-making, and continuity of care. Overall, management should progressively shift from a disease-centered paradigm toward personalized, integrated, and function-oriented care, with greater emphasis on preserving functional independence, minimizing treatment burden, and improving quality of life in older adults with diabetes and multimorbidity.
SN  - 1176-9092
SN  - 1178-1998
ER  -