The effectiveness of the new structured treatment and teaching programme SGS was evaluated in a multicenter prospective randomised controlled trial. Diabetic patients admitting one of 18 study centres in Germany with at least one geriatric syndrome, comorbidity and older than 65 years were randomised either to the new SGS programme or to the standard treatment programme for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Before and 6 month after participation in the structured treatment programmes the outcome quality was evaluated using structured questionnaires. We assessed HbA1c, skills of diabetes self-management, diabetes knowledge, treatment satisfaction, acute and late complications, neuropsychological status, diabetes mediation, activities of daily living and need of social service. The main treatment goal was maintenance of autonomy and quality of life in elderly people, as well as prevention of catabolism, frailty and acute complications.