Diabetes control and education in transplant care improves outcomes

Diabetes mellitus in any stage of the transplant process increases risks exponentially. Twice as many kidney recipients with pre-existing DM die with a functioning graft. Diabetes care is particularly challenging in the hospital environment, but frequently minimized. Since diabetes control makes such significant differences in patient outcomes, the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists joined forces and published a position statement summarizing the preponderance of evidence supporting early detection and aggressive treatment of diabetes in the hospital setting. In the outpatient arena, a study at Stanford Medical Center demonstrated that a program of diabetes education reduced re-admissions related to diabetes from 93% to 7%. Rather than taking on endocrine responsibilities, nephrologists might shift that burden to a diabetes care team for education, treatment recommendations, and improved clinical profiles. Patients will benefit from a higher standard of renal and diabetes care.