[Clinical guidelines for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the elderly in China (2026 edition)].

The expansion of the elderly population in China has been accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of diabetes among older adults. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the total number of individuals aged 60 and over in China reached 310 million in 2024. Of these, approximately 78.9 million have been diagnosed with diabetes - with over 95% being classified as type 2 - while approximately 141 million have prediabetes. Approximately 90% of these patients present with multiple concurrent metabolic abnormalities, such as overweight/obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperuricemia, which increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and organ damage. Additionally, complications due to poor glycemic control are the main risk factors for healthy longevity. Diabetes prevention and treatment remain a priority within the Healthy China (2016-2030) initiative. In line with the main theme of the "Clinical Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in the Elderly in China (2022 Edition)", we will continue to promote regular comprehensive patient assessments and the formulation/adjustment of personalized management goals to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention among the older population. These frameworks seek to refine diabetes education and self-management models, ensuring that patients can maintain quality of life, perform self-monitoring, adhere to pharmacological regimens, and seek medical treatment. Furthermore, prevention and treatment strategies advocate for the comprehensive management of comorbid metabolic abnormalities and the active and moderate treatment of complications, focusing on the patient's clinical baseline and balancing therapeutic targets to protect cardiac, cerebral, and renal functions, thereby optimizing outcomes. The updated 2026 Edition of the "Clinical Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in the Elderly in China" incorporates supplemental guidelines and international and domestic research on geriatric diabetes generated over the past four years. This integration informs adjustments to hypoglycemic drug selection and promotes the implementation of standardized prevention, diagnosis, and clinical decision-making, aiming to continuously improve overall diabetes management in older adults.