Needed: Big Improvement In Diabetes Caree

A wide gap ?exists in the United States between our knowledge of effective diabetes interventions and their implementation in practice.? That?s the conclusion of a report published in the April 2002 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. Based on two major surveys of diabetics conducted between 1988 and 1995, the report presents the first national picture of diabetes care. Among diabetics, the following results were found:

• 18% had inadequate blood sugar control
• 34% had poor blood pressure control
• 58% had insufficient cholesterol control

In addition, 37% did not have the annual eye examinations that are essential to detecting vision-loss conditions associated with diabetes. Also, 45% did not havethe annual foot examinations needed to help detect conditions that can lead to amputation. On the positive side, Dr. Francine R. Kaufman, president-elect of the American Diabetes Association, predicts that the next round of data will show important gains. ?We?ve been hauled into the principal?s office, and we?re doing better,? she says.