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Type 2 diabetes: hitting the priority area early is the key |
Diabetes is the seventh greatest cause of death in Australia and contributes significantly to morbidity, disability and poor quality of life. It is predicted that the number of Australian adults with diabetes will rise from 1 million in 2000 to more than 1.6 million in 20301,2.
The division is participating in a new national program in partnership with the National Prescribing Service (NPS) to improve early management of type 2 diabetes in primary care.
According to the International Diabetes Institute, the number of Australians with diabetes has trebled since 1981. However by targeting patients at risk of developing the disease, it is possible to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes thus avoiding long term and complicated medicine regimens.
The NPS program not only looks at early intervention and risk reduction but also untangles the evidence around use of metformin, sulfonylureas, glitazones and initiating insulin. The key messages of the program include:
Encourage intensive lifestyle change to slow progression to diabetes and prevent complications:
- Assess and manage overall cardiovascular risk early;
- Metformin remains the drug of choice in type 2 diabetes, especially in overweight people;
- Consider insulin early when blood glucose control fails with maximal oral therapy
Lindy Swain, our NPS facilitator, has already visited more than 60 enthusiastic GPs in our division to discuss reducing risk in type 2 diabetes. If you have not had a visit and would like more information please contact Lindy on 6622 4453 or lswain@nrdgp.org.au. She will be finishing this topic in November, so don’t miss out - BOOK NOW.
NPS works in partnership with divisions of general practice across Australia to promote Quality Use of Medicines at the local level.
1 Dunstan DW, et al. Australian diabetes obesity and lifestyle study (AusDiab). Melbourne: International Diabetes Institute; 2001
2 Wild S, et al. Diabetes Care 2004; 27:1047-53
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