Maintaining tight glycaemic control is essential for reducing the risk of chronic complications in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, in practice this poses a major challenge for healthcare professionals. Professor Mike Kirby discusses findings from a survey, to gain insight into current opinion amongst healthcare professionals concerning diabetes control. Strategies for overcoming barriers to good diabetes control are discussed.
Intensive blood-glucose with sulphonylureas or insulin compared with conventional treatment and risk of complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 33). UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) Group. Lancet1998;352:837-53.
2.
The effect of intensive treatment of diabetes on the development and progression of long-term complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group. N Engl J Med1993;329:977-86.
3.
Koro CE, Bowlin SJ, Bourgeois N. et al. Glycaemic control from 1988 to 2000 among US adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes: a preliminary report. Diabetes Care2004;27:17-20.
4.
Barnett AH, Capaldi B., Davies-Lyons M. et al. Expert opinion statement on the use of insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes in primary care. Pract Diabetes Intern2003;20: 97-102.
5.
National Service Framework for Diabetes. 14 December 2001, 15 March 2002. London, UK. Available from http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/Diabetes. [Accessed 3 July 2006].
6.
National Institute for Clinical Excellence.Inherited Clinical Guideline G. Management of type 2 diabetes - management of blood glucose. Available from http://www.nice.org.uk. [Accessed 3 July 2006].
7.
Diabetes UK.Are You in Control? Website survey: Pfizer in association with Diabetes UK. September 2005.