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Why Good Control Is Important

Better blood glucose control has been the focus of a lot of attention since the release of the results of the landmark Diabetes Control and Complications Trials (DCCT)¹ in 1993. The DCCT was the largest long-term research study on the effects of glucose control ever conducted. There were two groups of subjects in the study. One group managed their diabetes using "conventional" methods (1 - 2 injections per day and 1 - 2 daily blood glucose tests), while the other half used "intensive" methods, with frequent blood glucose monitoring and daily adjustments of food and insulin to keep blood glucose as near normal as possible. Nearly half in the intensively treated group used insulin pumps to help them achieve that level of control. The chart shows the differences in control that the different styles of treatment produced.

The DCCT showed clearly that those who achieved a better blood sugar control with an average 2% lower HbA1c value had a tremendous decrease in their risk for the long-term complications of diabetes. Risk of diabetic eye disease was decreased by 76% and reductions in risk for kidney and nerve damage were nearly as great. Obviously, diabetes control matters... a LOT. In fact, these results were so significant that the DCCT investigators felt compelled to end the study one year early so the conventionally treated patients could have the opportunity to realize the benefits of intensive diabetes management.

1) New England Journal of Medicine, Vol 329, Number 14, 30 September 1993, The Diabetes Complications Trial Research Group