title: Standards of medical care for diabetes mellitus.
abstract: This brief report summarizes the key points of the new standards of medical care for patients with diabetes mellitus, adopted by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in March 1994, a revision of the initial standards of October 1988. The standards apply primarily to patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, but the ADA recommends the same standards be applied to patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, with emphasis on diet and exercise, supplemented when indicated by oral drugs or insulin. Preprandial blood glucose should be below 80 mg/dL, and glycated hemoglobin should be less than 7%. This requires self-glucose-monitoring 3 or 4 times a day, patient-initiated insulin dosage changes, and other problem solving as needed, with support by a clinical team involving physicians, dietitians, diabetes educators, eye doctors, podiatrist, and other professionals. Glycated hemoglobin should be checked quarterly in all insulin-treated patients (and as needed in others). Microalbuminuria should be tested annually.
authors.affiliation: Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Stuart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D002648:Child; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin