Update in diabetes: applications for clinical practice from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial

Diabetes mellitus is a complex disease that affects 15 million Americans. Although the pathogenesis of type I and type II varies, a person may have the disease for years prior to onset of the clinical manifestations. Because there is presently no reliable screening tool for this disease, aggressive management beginning at disease onset is crucial in preventing and reducing long-term microvascular complications. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial unequivocally demonstrates the benefit of intensive management in the reduction of these complications in patients with type I diabetes. It is therefore imperative that health care professionals are aware of the significance and the implications of this landmark study.