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Diabetes Patients Not Reducing Risk Factors for Vascular Disease

Posted: Friday, February 27, 2004

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) strongly agrees with a new study that shows only 7.3% of those at risk for vascular disease are reducing their risk by controlling blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. The percentage of people who achieve good control has changed little in the last decade, according to a study published in the January 21, 2004, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

For many patients, vascular disease is related to poor control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Controlling these conditions by achieving specific targets can dramatically delay or prevent vascular complications. Diabetes, which affects over 18.2 million Americans and is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, is the main cause of kidney failure, limb amputations, blindness, heart disease and stroke.

"The only way to fight the diabetes epidemic is with a total lifestyle change," noted Donald A. Bergman, MD, FACE, president of AACE. "Patients need to become proactive, from eating right and exercising regularly to knowing more about healthy numbers for blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Targets provide structure for patients and put them in control of their health." With this in mind, AACE has embarked on several public initiatives to increase awareness about diabetes standards of care.

Recent findings from AACE conclude that strict control of sugar while in the hospital reduces cardiac complications as well as certain infections and shortens hospital stays. At a December 2003 consensus conference held by AACE in Washington, DC, experts from around the world developed the recommendations after reviewing the evidence on the importance of tight blood sugar control for diabetes patients in the hospital. AACE urges all patients, diagnosed with diabetes or not, to talk to their doctor about blood sugar levels prior to hospitalization and while in the hospital.

Most Americans are very familiar with their cholesterol levels, but few know what is considered good blood sugar control. A test called A1C reflects blood sugar control. AACE has been instrumental in creating awareness that an A1C level of less than 6.5 is optimal for those with diabetes. AACE also recommends that the blood sugar two hours after meals should be less than 140 mg/dL and that people at-risk for diabetes should be screened after the age of thirty.

"Patients empowered with this information will have an overwhelming advantage in their diabetes care," commented Bergman. "These standards make it possible for patients with diabetes to live long, fulfilling lives."

Source: Diabetes In Control.com