Editorial on hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals in diabetics

Abstract

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) 2013 guidelines state that a reasonable hemoglobin A1c goal for many nonpregnant adults with diabetes is less than 7.0% a hemoglobin A1c level of less than 6.5% may be considered in adults with short duration of diabetes, long life expectancy, and no significant cardiovascular disease if this can be achieved without significant hypoglycemia or other adverse effects of treatment. A hemoglobin A1c level less than 8.0% may be appropriate for patients with a history of severe hypoglycemia, limited life expectancy, advanced macrovascular and microvascular complications, extensive comorbidities, and long-standing diabetes in whom the hemoglobin A1c goal is difficult to attain despite multiple glucose-lowering drugs including insulin. The ADA 2013 guidelines recommend that the systolic blood pressure in most diabetics with hypertension should be reduced to less than 140 mmHg. These guidelines also recommend use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker in the treatment of hypertension in diabetics unless they are pregnant. Diabetics at high risk for cardiovascular events should have their serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol lowered to less than 70 mg/dL with statins. Lower-risk diabetics should have their serum LDL cholesterol reduced to less than 100 mg/dL. Combination therapy of a statin with either a fibrate or niacin has not been shown to provide additional cardiovascular benefit above statin therapy alone and is not recommended. Hypertriglyceridemia should be treated with dietary and lifestyle changes. Severe hypertriglyceridemia should be treated with drug therapy to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Blood pressure, Hemoglobin A1c, Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, Statins, Lipid-lowering drugs

Core tip: 2013 guidelines state that a reasonable hemoglobin A1c goal for diabetics is less than 7.0% a hemoglobin A1c level less than 8.0% may be appropriate for patients with a history of severe hypoglycemia, limited life expectancy, advanced macrovascular and microvascular complications, and extensive comorbidities. The systolic blood pressure in most diabetics with hypertension should be reduced to less than 140 mmHg. Diabetics at high risk for cardiovascular events should have their serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol lowered to less than 70 mg/dL with statins. Lower-risk diabetics should have their serum LDL cholesterol reduced to less than 100 mg/dL. Combination therapy of a statin with either a fibrate or niacin is not recommended.