Treating to target in type 2 diabetes

Abstract Patients with type 2 diabetes have a three-fold increased risk of developing vascular disease with death in 75% due to a vascular complication. Large prospective studies have demonstrated the benefits of treating patients with type 2 diabetes to strict targets regarding blood pressure (BP), lipids and glucose. Using both American Diabetes Association and Joint British Societies Guidelines we assessed the effectiveness of this `treat-to-target policy in diabetic patients attending secondary care. Of 321 patient notes analysed 5487% were within target for total cholesterol, 8084% for LDL cholesterol, 77% for HDL cholesterol, 51% for triglycerides, 4461% for systolic BP, 62% for diastolic BP and 3044% for HbA1C. In the secondary care setting we are performing well for lipids, less well for BP and poorly for HbA1C.