Data from the French National Health Insurance system estimated the prevalence of treated diabetes at 11.2% among people aged 65 and older in France in 1998. As the French population ages, more than half (54%) of people with diabetes are over 65, representing more than one million people. Given the high prevalence of diabetes in the elderly population, the growing proportion of older adults in the French population, their high life expectancy, and their vulnerability, the Entred study (National Representative Sample of People with Diabetes) examined the characteristics, health status, and medical management of diabetes among people aged 65 and older, by age group. (R.A.)