The importance of combined glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The contribution of intensive control of glycemia to the reduction of the risk of microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus is known perfectly well whereas its influence on the development of macrovascular complications remains to be clarified and remains a subject of debates. Bearing in mind that hyperglycemia is a key pathogenetic factor triggering formation of diabetic complications, it is necessary to identify characteristics of carbohydrate metabolism to be taken into account when choosing therapeutic strategies and to determine their target values. Control of the HbA1c level remains the most accessible and informative tool for the assessment of the efficiency of long-term compensation of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, this method is not altogether free from limitations that can hamper its clinical application. The fasting glycemia level does not completely reflect the quality of DM2 treatment. There is potential relationship between high postprandial plasma glucose levels and the development of vascular complications. Also, it has been shown that variability of glucose concentration may be an important risk factor of diabetic complications. Measurement of the full range of glycemic parameters including fasting plasma glucose level, HbA1c and postprandial glycemia gives an idea of the general picture of the course of the disease necessary for the choice of the treatment strategy.