Endocrinology - 3: Preventing complications of diabetes

Diabetes complications are common and almost triple the annual cost of managing diabetes. Microvascular complications are the major risk in type 1 diabetes, while macrovascular complications are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetes. Control of hyperglycaemia (target HbA(1c) level less than or equal to 7%) and hypertension (target blood pressure less than or equal to 130/80 mmHg) prevents microvascular complications in both types of diabetes; a multifactorial approach, comprising behaviour modification and pharmacological therapy for all risk factors, reduces the development of micro- and macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes. The benefit of treating dyslipidaemia is at least as great in the diabetic population as in the non-diabetic population. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and low-dose aspirin are indicated in people with diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors. Regular annual screening for diabetes complications allows treatable disease to be identified.