# Clinical relevance of glucose patterns in older adults

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $643,920

## Abstract

Abstract
Disordered glucose homeostasis and glucose instability are common in older adults. Age is one of the most
important risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes and there is growing evidence that glycemic
variability contributes to risk of complications, independent of average glucose or HbA1c. In older adults with
diabetes, there is controversy regarding appropriate treatment targets and hypoglycemia is a major concern.
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is the recommended approach to the assessment of hypoglycemia and
glycemic variability, but this technology has rarely been used in older adults. Very old adults (age 80 years or
older) are a particularly vulnerable population but have rarely been included in prior studies. Our overarching
objective is to characterize glucose patterns in older adults (>80 years) using state-of-the-art CGM technology.
We will characterize “normal” glucose patterns and evaluate the frequency of unrecognized glycemic
excursions in adults with and without diabetes (including persons with prediabetes). We will relate glucose
patterns including glucose excursions (hypo- and hyperglycemia) to current health status and clinical outcomes
during 4 years of follow-up. These results will provide information on the clinical relevance of glucose patterns
in an older adult population and generate evidence-based guidance regarding the use and interpretation of
CGM in this population.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10823315
- **Project number:** 5R01DK128837-04
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Elizabeth Selvin
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $643,920
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-03-01 → 2027-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10823315

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10823315, Clinical relevance of glucose patterns in older adults (5R01DK128837-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10823315. Licensed CC0.

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