No clear preference in blood glucose control, study finds

Scientists have found that there is no clear evidence to suggest that either 'intensive' or 'conventional' blood glucose control are preferable in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Research published in The Cochrane Library and carried out by the Copenhagen Trial Unit in Denmark, found that there were pros and cons to both approaches following the study of 20 trials which involved a total of 29,986 patients with type 2 diabetes.

Intensive blood glucose control aims to keep levels at the low end of normal and therefore limits damage to eyes and kidneys but can result in hypoglycaemia, which if untreated can cause loss of consciousness and even death.

However, conventional blood glucose control reduces this risk but also creates potential for developing blood sugar levels that are too high, or hyperglycaemia.

"Targeting the intensive levels means that many patients have to cope with complex and time consuming treatment. On top of this, they have the fear that their blood glucose might drop too low," explained Bianca Hemmingsen, a participant in the study.