Diabetes management is all about targets. It is of cardinal importance to know what these targets are and to work diligently to reach them. The outcome of your diabetes and diabetes-related complications are balanced finely on these values.

The targets in a diabetic patient’s life are:

1. Correct weight and body mass index (BMI)

BMI should be between 18,5 and 24,9. If it is too low or too high, it may increase mortality.

Obesity is commonly associated with Type 2 diabetes. The South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES -1) data showed that one third of South African men and two thirds of South African women are obese (BMI >30) or overweight (BMI >25)¹⁰_.

 The aim in the overweight patient is to lose 5-10% of their body weight as this has shown to reduce cardiovascular risk factors.

Data showed that 15% of weight loss has been proven to even reverse Type 2 diabetes⁸. The remission of diabetes was associated with the Very Low Carb Diet (VLCD), which consists of less than 800 calories/day. This should be prescribed and monitored by a healthcare team.

2. Cholesterol

A cholesterol test has three important components that should all be in the target range.

1. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as the bad cholesterol, causes atherosclerosis in the arteries. This measurement should be equal or less than 1,8 mmol/L. The increase in LDL is the cause of heart attacks and strokes. South Africans are prone to higher LDL levels due to genetic predisposition. The only way to get your LDL in target is with a statin (cholesterol lowering drug).
2. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the good cholesterol as it is protective. This value should be more than 1,0 mmol\L in men and 1,2 mmol\L in women. The only way to increase your value if it is too low (as is often the case in Type 2 diabetes), is with exercise or mild alcohol use. (Females – one unit per day; males – two units per day. A unit is a single 200ml glass of dry red or white wine, or a single shot of hard liquor).
3. Trygliseride is the fat count and can be decreased with a low-fat diet and medication if needed. The target should be less than 1,7 mmol/L.

3. Blood pressure

This is the most important goal to achieve first. In diabetic patients, blood pressure should not be above 130/80mmHg. If you have kidney impairment, blood pressure should not be above 120/80mmHg¹².

The best method to measure an accurate value is to get an upper arm electronic blood pressure measure. Sit down in a quiet room and do three measures, five minutes between each measurement and take the lowest value. This was proven to be as effective as a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement (test where one wears a portable blood pressure monitor for 24 hours). The three intermittent measures compare well with risk of complications as seen in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) trial².

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the most common non-communicable disease (NCD) in the world, with a prevalence of 40%. It is also the number one cause of mortality in the world⁴. Worldwide it is poorly treated, and 70% of all people do not reach the target. In this evaluation, the target for blood pressure was 140/90mmHg.

Why the big drive to get to blood pressure targets?

If you have uncontrolled blood pressure (not on target) in your 40s and 50s, the risk of dementia increases three-fold in your 60s and 70s.

In South Africa, 195 people die daily due to heart disease associated with hypertension¹¹. Cardiovascular mortality risk doubles with each 20/10 mmHg increase in the systolic/diastolic blood pressure. For example, a blood pressure of 155/95 mmHg will have a four-fold increased risk of cardiovascular mortality, and a blood pressure of 175/105 will have an eight-fold increased risk⁷.

The smallest amount of blood pressure reduction can make a difference. It was proven that a decrease of systolic blood pressure of 2mmHg decreases the risk of cardiovascular events by 7-10%. The risk for ischemic heart disease decreased by 7% and the risk for stroke mortality reduce by 10%⁷.

4. HbA1c

This is the most targeted and talked about value in diabetes treatment. This is the average three-month glucose value that can predict the possible development of both microvascular and macrovascular complications. It is important to remember that it is an average and not a hard value.

HbA1c is the measurement of how the red blood cells and glucose stick together in the previous 120 days. The lifespan of a red blood cell is only 120 days. It will also show if there is red cell loss (anaemia or bleeding) as this will affect HbA1c.

To get a calculated value of your estimated average glucose from your HbA1c value, this tool can be used – https://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-to-blood-sugar-level-converter.html The shortened table inserted can also be of use.

To get a better impact of your diabetes control a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is of much more value, since the measurement shows the fluctuations of both high and low glucose values effectively.

How often should I test my blood glucose?

Self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG):

1. Individuals on insulin injections two to four times a day should test three times a day at least.
2. Individuals on a one per day basal insulin should test first thing in the morning. Should this fasting glucose value be above 4-7mmol/L then a second glucose test two hours after the largest meal should be done. This value should be below 10mmol/L¹³, or below 9,0mmol/L¹⁴.
3. SMBG should only be done in individuals that were trained on how to adjust medication and/lifestyle accordingly.
4. SMBG should be done more frequently when:

• Acute illness
• Periods of poor glycaemic control
• Frequent hypoglycaemic events
• Pregnancy
• Adjustments to therapy, either old or new additions.

 HbA1c target

The target value for HbA1c is 7% but this should be as low as 6% in pregnancy, and can increase slightly to 7,1 to 8.5% in the elderly, chronic kidney impairment, limited life expectancy and patients that are staying alone and are hypoglycaemic unaware. This needs to be discussed with your healthcare provider¹⁵.

The HbA1c as a target is important to predict microvascular complications. By the time the HbA1c exceeds 7,5%, the risk of microvascular disease (diabetic eye problems, diabetic kidney impairment and feet problems, such as burning feet) is increased by 2,5 to five-fold⁶.

In Type 2 diabetes, there is also a strong risk factor (two to four-fold increased risk for macrovascular complications (development of cardiovascular disease – heart attack and heart failure). This risk can already be present in the pre-diabetic phase in Type 2 diabetes⁵.

It is very good news to know from trial data that intensive glucose control can reduce microvascular disease even in older individuals with long-standing diabetes.

The legacy effect

The ‘legacy effect’ should be remembered in managing diabetes. This is where, the body remembers the early days of treatment, where there was good control, even when, later, the glucose control deteriorates⁹.

Severe hypoglycaemia is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in patients that are:

• Older than 60 years of age
• Diabetes duration longer than eight years
• Cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking, high cholesterol, and hypertension³.

Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of atherosclerosis and can deteriorate and advance the onset of macrovascular complications (heart attack and stroke) in diabetes. It should be stopped and not substituted for the e-cigarette since this is not proven safe.

Exercise

People with Type 2 diabetes should be advised to perform at least 150 minutes of exercising per week. This should be of aerobic nature i.e. walking, cycling, swimming and should aim to increase the heart rate by 50-70% of the maximal heartbeat.

Final thought

In conclusion, it is of importance to remember that there are many drugs both old and new that can help with achieving most of these goals. Speak to your healthcare professional and acquire the correct combination of drugs for your diabetes. You are the leader of this diabetes team and are the most important player in securing long-term success.

References:

1. American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in diabetes.(2017) (Suppl 1) 40 p1-142
2. Andreadis eA et. al. (2012) Am J Hypertension ,25
3. Duckworth W, Abraira C, Moritz T et. al. (2009) ‘Glucose control and vascular complications in Veterans with type 2 Diabetes.’ N Engl J Med., 360(2) p129-139
4. Ezzati et.al. (2012) Lancet, 360 p1347-60
5. Gerstein HC, Pogue J, Mann JFE et. al. (2005) ‘ The relationship between dysglycaemia and cardiovascular and renal risk in the diabetic and non-diabetic participants in the HOPE study: a prospective epidemiological analysis.’ Diabetologia,48(9) p1749-1755
6. Heine RJ, Balkau B, Ceriello A et. al. (2004) ‘ What does postprandial hyperglycemia mean?” Diab Med’ 21(3) p208-213
7. Lewington et. al. (2002) Lancet,360 p1903-13
8. Lim EL, Hollingsworth KG, Aribisala Bs et. al. (2011) ‘Reversal of type 2 diabetes: normalization of beta cell function in association with decreased pancreas and liver triacylglycerol.’ Diabetologia ,54 p2506-2514
9. Orchard TJ, Nathan DM, Zinman B et. al. (2015) ‘Association between 7 years of Intensive treatment of type 1 diabetes and Long Term Mortality.” JAMA, 313(1)p45
10. Shisana O, Labadarios D, Rehle T et. al. (20140 ‘South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1),Cape town HSRC Press
11. Steyn et. al. Heart disease in South Africa,2007
12. AHA guidelines 2017
13. ADA guidelines 2017
14. IDF guidelines
15. SEMDSA guidelines2017
    

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