A study from the Universities of Gothenburg and Oxford highlights the critical importance of controlling blood sugar levels immediately after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. The research shows that the first few years after diagnosis play a major role in determining long-term health outcomes, including the risk of heart attacks and death.
The researchers analyzed data from the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), one of the largest long-term studies on diabetes. They looked at how blood sugar levels in the early years after diagnosis affected the risk of heart attacks and death 10 to 20 years later.
The findings were striking. People who kept their blood sugar levels within the recommended range (HbA1c of 52 mmol/mol or lower) from the time of diagnosis had a 20% lower risk of death 10 to 15 years later.
However, waiting 10 years to achieve good blood sugar control only reduced the risk of death by 3%. This shows that early intervention makes a huge difference in long-term health outcomes.
This study reinforces the concept of the “legacy effect”, which means that managing blood sugar well in the early years of diabetes has long-term benefits, reducing complications and the risk of death for up to 30 years.
Because of this, diabetes treatment guidelines worldwide emphasize the need to control blood sugar as soon as possible after diagnosis.
The findings also highlight the importance of early detection of type 2 diabetes. Many people live with high blood sugar for years before being diagnosed, which increases their risk of complications. This study suggests that earlier screening and intervention could significantly improve health outcomes for people with diabetes.
These results provide strong evidence that starting proper diabetes treatment early is essential. By keeping blood sugar under control from the beginning, people with type 2 diabetes can reduce their risk of serious complications and increase their chances of living longer, healthier lives.
The study, led by Professor Marcus Lind, was published in Diabetes Care.
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