| Abstract: |
This section on achieving glycemic goals is from a special, supplement of the Diabetes Educator that presents a continuing education program on early intervention with insulin analogs, from the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) 2006 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. The author addresses concerns that, despite excellent treatment options, a large number of people with diabetes are not meeting treatment goals, putting them at high risk for diabetes-related morbidity and mortality, including vascular complications and early death. The author describes the use of new diabetes medications and management tools in a program of earlier, more aggressive, and more comprehensive diabetes treatment. For example, some patients may benefit from earlier use of insulin replacement in their treatment programs. Maximal use should be made of both lifestyle changes and drug therapy to achieve targeted goals. In general, treatment strategies for type 2 diabetes should emphasize lifetime control of risk factors with specific treatment targets. Targets should include goals for glycemia as well as blood lipids and blood pressure. 5 figures. 2 tables. 20 references. |