The UKPDS showed that long-term complications of Type 2 Diabetes can be prevented through intensive blood glucose and blood pressure management: The UKPDS included almost 4,000 people with newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes.
The study demonstrated that:
- Type 2 Diabetes is progressive over time, and as the pancreas loses its ability to make insulin, more treatment is required.
- High blood glucose and high blood pressure both play an important role in the development of Diabetes complications.
Intensive blood glucose control & management of hypertension resulted in fewer Diabetes related complications, and approximately:
- 20% decrease in death related to Diabetes
- 40% decrease in eye, kidney, and nerve Diabetes complications
- 40% decrease in blockage of the blood vessels to the lower limbs
- 15% decrease in heart attack
For every 10 mmHG drop in the systolic blood pressure, there was an approximate 12% decrease in:
- Death related to Diabetes
- Eye, kidney, and nerve Diabetes related complications
- Heart attack