Glycemic Control and Potential Complications in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that can lead to complications over time. The long-term complications of diabetes result from the effects of hyperglycemia on blood vessels, causing microvascular and macrovascular disease. Fortunately, many complications can be prevented or minimized with a combination of regular medical care and tight blood glucose monitoring.For example, two important studies, the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) in patients with type 1 diabetes and the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) in patients with type 2 diabetes, found that patients with lower blood glucose values had fewer complications than those with higher values. Thus, early and aggressive glycemic control may be the key to help prevent long-term complications of diabetes mellitus. In this program, Dr Carlos Hamilton, Dr Philip Orlander and Dr Dale Hamilton discuss the importance of maintaining optimal glycemic control in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Included in this discussion are optimal targets for blood glucose levels, issues related to glucose monitoring and a review of the long-term complications of hyperglycemia.

Related References/Reading:

1. UK Prospective Diabetes Study Group. Tight blood pressure control and risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes:UKPDS. 38. BMJ.1998;317:703-713.
3. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group. The effect of intensive treatment of diabetes on the development and progression of long-term complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med. 1993;329:977-986.