A recent study by the Universities of Gothenburg and Oxford underscores the importance of quickly gaining control over blood sugar levels after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. According to the findings, the first few years after diagnosis are crucial in determining the long-term risk of heart attacks and death.
The research analyzed data from the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) to understand how blood sugar levels in the initial years after diagnosis influence the risk of heart attacks and death over the following decades.
The study focused on the glycemic legacy effect, a phenomenon where early and effective blood sugar control leads to long-term benefits, even years after the initial treatment.
The researchers discovered that keeping blood sugar levels within the recommended target (HbA1c of 52 mmol/mol or lower) from the time of diagnosis was associated with a 20% lower risk of death 10 to 15 years later.
In contrast, delaying effective blood sugar management until 10 years after diagnosis reduced the risk of death by only 3%. This dramatic difference highlights the critical importance of starting proper treatment early.
The study also suggests that detecting type 2 diabetes early is essential to prevent individuals from living with undiagnosed high blood sugar levels for extended periods. The earlier good blood sugar control is achieved, the greater the long-term benefits, including a lower risk of complications and mortality.
The findings provide a scientific basis for the glycemic legacy effect, explaining how early intervention can reduce the risks of diabetic complications and death for up to 30 years.
These results have influenced diabetes treatment guidelines worldwide, which now emphasize the importance of achieving good blood sugar control as soon as possible after diagnosis.
Professor Marcus Lind, who led the study, highlights that these results not only demonstrate the long-term impact of early blood sugar control but also call for greater efforts to diagnose type 2 diabetes promptly.
The research underscores the need for healthcare providers and patients to focus on managing blood sugar levels immediately after diagnosis to optimize care and prevent severe complications.
The study, published in Diabetes Care, serves as a reminder of the long-lasting benefits of proactive diabetes management and the importance of early diagnosis.
For individuals with type 2 diabetes, starting treatment promptly and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels can significantly improve their future health outcomes.
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