title: [Useful and useless tests for diabetes diagnosis and care].
abstract: The investigations that can be performed in diabetes are not all of equal interest. Some are necessary and sufficient, others useless as their results are non-reproducible, and others still are of no therapeutic value. In order to complete the clinical assessment, the doctor must have at his disposal several simple tests, the results of which should lead to a modification of treatment. The diagnosis of diabetes rests on the level of the fasting glucose. The level of the glycosylated haemoglobin is the best investigation for an appreciation of the glycaemic control. At diagnosis and once a year thereafter, the measurement of the level of the total cholesterol and HDL, triglycerides, microalbuminuria, and creatinine, along with fundoscopy and a resting electrocardiogram are the necessary and sufficient investigations. Combined with the measurement of the arterial blood pressure and an assessment of tobacco use, these permit a good appreciation of the level of cardiovascular risk and the existence or not of complications.
authors.affiliation: Service de diabétologie Hôpital Saint-Louis 75475 Paris. philippe.passa@wanadoo.fr
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Passa
mesh_terms: D000419:Albuminuria / Q000652:urine; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000191:economics; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D003404:Creatinine