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Glycemic variability in the development of cardiovascular complications in diabetes
Author(s) -
Nusca Annunziata,
Tuccinardi Dario,
Albano Marzia,
Cavallaro Camilla,
Ricottini Elisabetta,
Manfrini Silvia,
Pozzilli Paolo,
Di Sciascio Germano
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
diabetes/metabolism research and reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.307
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1520-7560
pISSN - 1520-7552
DOI - 10.1002/dmrr.3047
Subject(s) - medicine , glycemic , diabetes mellitus , fructosamine , coronary artery disease , intensive care medicine , risk factor , disease , cardiology , endocrinology
Summary Diabetes mellitus represents a major risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease and other vascular complications. Glycated haemoglobin, fructosamine, and fasting blood glucose levels are partial parameters to exhaustively describe patient dysglycemic status. Thus, recently the new concept of glycemic variability has emerged, including information about two major aspects: the magnitude of blood glucose excursions (from nadir to peak, thus lower and higher spikes) and the time intervals in which these fluctuations occur. Despite the lack of consensus regarding the most appropriate definition and tools for its assessment, glycemic variability seems to have more deleterious effects than sustained hyperglycemia in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiovascular complications. This manuscript aimed to review the most recent evidence on glycemic variability and its potential use in everyday clinical practice to identify diabetic patients at higher risk of cardiovascular complications and thus needing stricter monitoring and treatment.