Uncontrolled diabetes has always put people at risk. Many people feel just taking insulin, or other drugs is all they must do. However, if diet is not monitored along with exercise a person can become at risk for many disease processes including blindness, kidney failure, stroke, and loss of limbs. Now a recent study has added to this list with another risk factor. In a study published in Diabetes Care in December of 2012 it was revealed that people who took insulin but had a high A1(c) result were at greater risk of fracture.
There was a significantly increased risk of fracture among persons with diagnosed diabetes who were treated with insulin and among persons with diagnosed diabetes with HbA1c ?8% as compared to those with HbA1c <8%. [1]When you add this complication to a slow healing process that is common in diabetics you have a true cause for concern.
Another study done in the Netherlands showed similar results with diabetes and an increase risk for fracture. In this study 420 patients with diabetes were classified according to glucose control. The groups were divided into people who were poorly controlled A1(c) greater than 7.5, those who were under control A1(c) that was equal to or less than 7.5, and the third group which had no diabetes. Participants with uncontrolled diabetes had 47–62% higher fracture risk than individuals without diabetes.[2]
The conclusiveness of both studies indicates the true need for frequent monitoring of the A1(c) in individuals with diabetes. In addition diabetics cannot simply wait three months to determine compliance. They must actively participate in preventative health care or face a poor quality of life.
Frequent glucose monitoring, medications, exercise and diet must all be a part of the diabetic regimen to assure that they avoid many of the consequences that go with uncontrolled diabetes.
