UPDATE IN DIABETES - APPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL-PRACTICE FROM THE DIABETES CONTROL AND COMPLICATIONS TRIAL

Diabetes mellitus is a complex disease that affects 15 million America ns. Although the pathogenesis of type I and type II varies, a person m ay have the disease for years prior to onset of the clinical manifesta tions. Because there is presently no reliable screening tool for this disease, aggressive management beginning at disease onset is crucial i n preventing and reducing long-term microvascular complications. The D iabetes Control and Complications Trial unequivocally demonstrates the benefit of intensive management in the reduction of these complicatio ns in patients with type I diabetes. It is therefore imperative that h ealth care professionals are aware of the significance and the implica tions of this landmark study.