At that time, the drugs available for treatment were limited, as was knowledge about blood sugar and preventive measures to lessen complications. During the 20 years since they began, DRTCs nationwide have provided a wealth of research material to aid physicians in the treatment of their patients with diabetes. In the past five years, two singular events have occurred which have presented an enormous educational challenge. First, the Diabetes Controlled Complications Trial proved that blood sugar control would reduce complications. Second, five new classes of drugs for treatment of diabetes were introduced.
Test is the gold standard for diabetes treatment.
The test should be performed routinely in all patients with diabetes. The chronic hyperglycemia of diabetes is associated with long-term damage, dysfunction, and failure of various organs causing retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy. Reduction in the risk of these complications correlates continuously with the reduction in HbAlc produced by effective treatment. Such knowledge is powerful, if it can be successfully applied. Discovering how to translate these scientific and clinical findings into a usable form for physicians, nurses, and allied health care professionals is the aim of the DRTC's Demonstration and Education Division.