Monitoring diabetic control

• ? Recent research from America has confirmed that the quality of metabolic control achieved by people with insulin-dependent diabetes does influence the onset and progression of diabetic complications.
• ? More than ever before diabetic individuals now have good reasons for striving to attain as good a standard of diabetic control as is possible. Regular monitoring of diabetic status is essential if good control is to be achieved.
• ? This article will focus upon the concept of control and consider aspects of diabetic monitoring which may be undertaken either by patients or through professional services.
• ? Both direct and indirect monitoring methods will be discussed and strengths and weaknesses considered.