Global type 2 diabetes guidelines launched
Global guidelines for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, were launched by the International Diabetes Federation this week.
The IDF recommends that people with type 2 diabetes should be advised
that lifestyle modification can control many of the condition’s
risk factors. If lifestyle interventions are insufficient to control blood
glucose levels, sulfonylureas should be first-line treatment in those
who are not overweight, and metformin in those who are, unless there is
risk of renal impairment. The dose of metformin should be gradually increased
during the early weeks to minimise the risk of gastrointestinal intolerance
leading to discontinuation of treatment.
The guidelines recommend that until blood glucose levels are controlled,
treatment should progress from metformin to sulfonylureas to thiazolidinedione
to insulin.
The IDF also recommends that all those with type 2 diabetes who are aged
over 40, or who have cardiovascular disease, should be given a standard
dose statin and those with evidence of cardiovascular risk should take
75–100mg aspirin a day. In addition, HbA1c levels should be monitored
every two to six months and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be
available for all those newly diagnosed.
The guideline is available from the IDF website. |
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