In frail elderly patients with diabetes, what HbA1c target is commonly aimed for?

• A. 6-7%
• B. 9-10%
• C. 8-9%
• D. 7-8%

Answer: (C)

In frail older adults with diabetes, the goal is to balance avoiding low blood sugar with achieving some glycemic control. Their frailty, comorbidities, and increased risk of hypoglycemia mean we don’t pursue aggressive targets. A practical HbA1c target for this group is about 8-9%, offering meaningful control while reducing the risk of hypoglycemia and treatment burden. Tighter targets like 6-7% raise hypoglycemia risk, and aiming for 9-10% can tolerate more hyperglycemia than is desirable; 7-8% can be reasonable for healthier older adults but is not the typical default in frail patients.