Toward a Basic Understanding of Diabetic Complications

Diabetes mellitus presents a lifelong challenge to patients and their health care providers. Although Type I (insulin-dependent) and Type II (non-insulindependent) diabetes mellitus probably have different causes, patients with either form have an increased risk of microvascular, macrovascular, and neurologic complications. Many studies have examined or are addressing the relations between glycemic control (usually determined by levels of glycosylated hemoglobin) and the prevention or progression of these complications.¹ Yet current therapy for patients with Type I or II diabetes rarely if ever normalizes blood glucose or glycosylated hemoglobin levels, and some patients will probably continue to have complications even when.