haemoglobin a1c and 5year allcause mortality in french type 2 diabetic patients aged 70 years and older the gerodiab observational cohort aim the role of glycaemic control in the mortality of elderly diabetic patients remains uncertain gerodiab is the first multicentre prospective observational study that aims to describe the link between hba1c and 5year mortality in french type 2 diabetic patients aged 70 yearsmethods consecutive patients n987 mean age 77 years were included from 56 diabetes centres and followed for five years individual histories risk factors standard diabetes parameters and geriatric evaluations were regularly recorded survival was studied using the kaplanmeier method multivariable analyses used cox regressionresults twentyone percent of the patients died 13 were lost during followup patients with a 5year mean hba1c in the range 4050 mmolmol 5867 had the highest survival 84 those in the range 5070 mmolmol 6786 or 40mmolmol 58 an intermediary survival rate 79 patients with hba1c 70mmolmol 86 the worst survival 71 patients with mean hba1c 70mmolmol 86 had a significantly higher mortality than those with lower hba1c p0011 and hba1c remained a significant predictor of mortality after adjusting for individual diabetic and geriatric factors hazards ratio 95ci 176 121 to 257 p00033 survival was also significantly associated with both hba1c variability and with the frequency of hba1c determinationsconclusion in this large sample of elderly french type 2 diabetic patients an hba1c level 70mmolmol 86 was associated with lower mortality the range 4050 mmolmol 5867 could be an acceptable target provided patients are not exposed to hypoglycaemia