Tight Glycemic Control Isn't Associated with Retinopathy and Nephropathy in Type 1 Diabetes

Poor glycemic control confers risk for end-organ complications in patients with type 1 diabetes. However, national guidelines differ on recommended glycemic control targets (e.g., U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] target, ≤6.5% vs. U.S. American Diabetes Association HbA1c target, ≤7%). In this population-based cohort study, researchers determined whether tight glycemic control (HbA_1c level, <6.5%) was associated with lower risks for retinopathy and nephropathy than was less-tight control among 10,398 Swedish children and adults (mean age, 15). HbA_1c was averaged over time for each patient (mean HbA_1c level for the cohort, 8.0%).

Mean follow-up was 12 years. After adjustment for many variab…