Glycemic targets in patients with diabetes

Abstract

Diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia, and chronic hyperglycemia leads to microvascular and macrovascular complications. Glycemic control is assessed and monitored by hemoglobin A1c and self-monitoring of blood glucose. Most guidelines recommend achieving hemoglobin A1c targets of <6.5% or 7%. Improved glycemic control reduces microvascular complications. However, intensive glycemic-control can have different effects on cardiovascular complications depending on the patient population. The glycemic targets should be individualized based on each patient's characteristics, such as age, duration of diabetes, accompanying comorbidities, risk of severe hypoglycemia, life expectancy, and attitude towards treatment.