References

Adler A, Coleman RL, Leal J, Whiteley WN, Clarke P, Holman RR Post-trial monitoring of a randomised controlled trial of intensive glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes extended from 10 years to 24 years (UKPDS 91). Lancet. 2024; https://doi.org/10.1016/S1040-6736(24)00537-3

Diabetes UK. Diabetes is serious. 2022. https//tinyurl.com/yww3a58v (accessed 23 May 2024)

Diabetes UK. How many people in the UK have type 2 diabetes?. 2024. https//www.diabetes.org.uk/about-us/about-the-charity/our-strategy/statistics (accessed 23 May 2024)

Holman RR A brief history of the UK Prospective Diabetes Study. Br J Diabetes. 2022; 22 https://doi.org/10.15277/bjd.2022.359

Lipanovic D Early intensive glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes provides near-lifelong protection, study finds. PJ. 2024; 312:(7985) https://doi.org/10.1211/PJ.2024.1.315804

Syed H, Jenkinson D Changing the way type 2 diabetes is managed. J Presc Pract. 2021; 3:(10)383-428 https://doi.org/10.12968/jprp.2021.3.10.412

Intensive blood-glucose control with sulphonylureas or insulin compared with conventional treatment and risk of complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 33). Lancet. 1998a; 352:(9131)837-853

Effect of intensive blood glucose control with metformin on complications in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 34). Lancet. 1998b; 352:(9131)854-865

Reinforcing the role of early glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes

02 June 2024
Volume 6 · Issue 6

In the UK, diabetes leads to 190 amputations, 770 strokes, 590 cases of myocardial infarction and 230 cases of heart failure every single week (Diabetes UK, 2022).

Data show that more than 4.9 million people are currently living with diabetes in the UK, which is about one in every 14 people (Diabetes UK, 2022). The true number, however, is estimated to be more than 5.6 million when accounting for those who have yet to be diagnosed (Diabetes UK, 2024). About 90% of those living with the condition in the UK have type 2 diabetes and more than 3.2 million people are at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes based on blood sugar levels (Diabetes UK, 2024).

However, the risk factor profile for type 2 diabetes is complex, with genetic, social and lifestyle factors each playing a role. From age, family history and ethnicity, to income, housing, education, and diet, physical activity and living with overweight or obesity, the risk factors are multifaceted and difficult to isolate or pinpoint specifically (Diabetes UK, 2024).

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Journal of Prescribing Practice and reading some of our peer-reviewed resources for prescribing professionals. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Limited access to our clinical or professional articles

  • New content and clinical newsletter updates each month