Recent evidence suggests that good early management of glycaemia confers cardiovascular protection and a survival benefit to people with T2DM, above and beyond the reduction in microvascular disease. This session aims to review that evidence and highlight strategies that can be used by GPs to implement good early control of T2DM in their practice. It will include an explanation on “Metabolic Memory” (also known as the “Legacy Effect”), clarify the Australian Diabetes Society’s position on HbA1c targets in T2DM and review the therapies that are recommended for use early in the disease to achieve those HbA1c targets. The session will conclude with small group discussions on implementation gaps in practice and discuss systems that GPs could put in place to improve the early care of people with T2DM.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Understand what is meant by the “Legacy Effect” or “Metabolic Memory” and how this phenomenon impacts the management of diabetes, especially by GPs
- Recognise that the Hba1c target in diabetes needs to be customised to the specific patient characteristics.
- Understand what the recommended HbA1c targets are for different types of patients as recommended by the Australian Diabetes Society
- Identify different strategies to achieve good glycaemic control early for patients with T2DM including simple ways to avoid unwanted side effects from medications
- Obtain a better understanding about the PBS reimbursement criteria for the newer diabetes therapies.
Please see the session on offer in the Diabetes ALM: