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Thursday 11 October 2012

Phoenix The CareGiver


Ah, the return of Phoenix, the Caregiver. The diabetes forums are awash with her posts. Sharing her stories, support and solutions for helping Type 1 diabetics reduce their blood glucose levels and thereby risk of complications. But, but, what’s that I hear? Yes, yes the diabetes forums are awash with her posts but NOT with stories, support and solutions for helping Type 1 diabetics reduce their blood glucose levels. In fact it would be hard to find one post offering a solution for helping a Type 1 diabetic reduce their blood glucose level. Instead, you will find 100s of posts regarding low-carb diets. You might argue that this indicates highly altruistic behaviour in support for Type 2 diabetics. However, closer reading reveals the posts are highly negative, containing out of date references and lead to thread locks.

Returning to Type 1 diabetics. The tragic extent of the problem is illustrated by the 2010-2011 National Diabetes Audit.


The National Diabetes Audit 2010-2011 (Updated 28.09/2012)

Percentage of registered Type 1 patients in England
HbA1c >= 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) = 93.1%
HbA1c > 7.5% (58 mmol/mol) = 71.7%
HbA1c > 10.0% (86 mmol/mol) = 17.5%

Percentage of registered Type 1 patients in Wales
HbA1c >= 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) = 94.9%
HbA1c > 7.5% (58 mmol/mol) = 75.3%
HbA1c > 10.0% (86 mmol/mol) = 20.1%

The consequences of poor control are well documented. A recent example of poor control in Scotland:


I have yet to read a post by the Caregiver commenting on these results. The Caregiver may have posted regarding the so-called best educational provision currently available for Type 1 diabetics, DAFNE. However, a recent publication indicates that over a 7 year period the participants in the course achieved a reduction in HbA1c of only 0.3% to an average of 8.3%
.

You would have more respect for her if, instead of the carping negativity, she was able to offer some constructive advice to Type 1 diabetics in lowering their HbA1c to at least less than 7.5%.

John

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