Diabetes: The Numbers - Slide 19

Preventing Diabetes Complications

• Glucose control

• Blood pressure control

• Blood lipid control

• Preventive care practices for eyes, kidneys, feet, teeth and gums

• Aspirin as directed by physician

Note:

• People with diabetes and their health care providers can reduce the occurrence of diabetes complications by controlling the levels of blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids, and by receiving other preventive care practices in a timely manner.

• Studies have found that improved glycemic control benefits people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In general, every percentage point drop in A1C blood test results (i.e., from 8.0% to 7.0%) reduces the risk of microvascular complications—like eye, kidney, and nerve diseases—by 40%.

• Blood pressure control reduces the risk of heart disease or stroke among persons with diabetes by 33% to 50%, and the risk of microvascular complications by about 33%.

• Improved cholesterol or blood lipids control (for example, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) can reduce cardiovascular complications by 20% to 50%.

• Detecting and treating diabetic eye disease with laser therapy can reduce the development of severe vision loss by an estimated 50% to 60%.

• Comprehensive foot care programs can reduce amputation rates by 45% to 85%.

• Treating early diabetic kidney disease by lowering blood pressure can reduce the decline in kidney function by 30% to 70%.

• Studies have shown that an aspirin a day can help prevent diabetes complications.

Reference

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. National Diabetes Statistics fact sheet: general information and national estimates on diabetes in the United States, 2005. Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, 2005.