By Colin Kenny, Editor – Diabetes Distilled
These two SIGN guidelines acknowledge that diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Scotland, and worldwide, with an increasing prevalence. Their remit is to provide recommendations based on current evidence for best practice in the management of diabetes. SIGN guideline 154 is new and reflects on the pharmacological management of glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes, and analyses new medication and therapeutic approaches. SIGN guideline 116 is an update to reflect changes in the non-pharmacological management of diabetes.
Both these guidelines have clear tables and algorithms, and also highlight important areas such as pregnancy and gestational diabetes, structured education programmes and psychological problems in children. The guidance is clear about avoiding osmotic symptoms in people with diabetes, and allows glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists to be used in people with a BMI >30 kg/m2. The importance of diabetic cardiovascular and renal disease is emphasised, as is the management of the diabetic foot. The guidance also suggests that in individuals with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors with proven cardiovascular benefit (currently empagliflozin and canagliflozin) should be considered.
To access the guidelines, click here
