Sometimes it may feel overwhelming and with little reward. Two important studies done in the last ten years have shown us that taking care of your blood sugar and blood pressure really can make a difference. Over 1400 people with Type 1 diabetes participated in this study. The study was stopped two years early because the researchers found that the people in the intensive group were receiving the following protection from more frequent blood sugar checking and insulin administration. The study was stopped early because it was unfair to keep such an effective treatment program from everyone with type 1 diabetes.
Tight control can provide protection from the long-term complications of diabetes.
This study, like the DCCT, looked at tight blood sugar control and its benefits in preventing long-term complications of diabetes. It too demonstrated that blood sugar control matters. It showed that blood pressure control can also make a big difference in preventing the long-term complications of diabetes. It, like the DCCT, split the group into a conventional treatment group and an intensive treatment group. The people in each group were followed for 10 years.