This guideline offers evidence-based recommendations on the targeted levels of blood glucose. The recommendations are intended to provide healthcare professionals with practical guidance on monitoring of blood glucose and improving health outcomes for people living with Diabetes.
l Glycemic
status should be assessed at least twice a year using HbA1c and/or suitable
continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) parameters. Individuals who are not
fulfilling treatment objectives, have frequent or severe hypoglycemia or
hyperglycemia, have fluctuating health status, or are growing and developing
in adolescence should be assessed more regularly (every three months). (Good practice statement) l Glycemic
status should be assessed at least quarterly and as needed in people whose
therapy has recently changed and/or who are not achieving their glycemic
targets. (Good practice statement) l An HbA1c
target for many nonpregnant adults of <7% without significant hypoglycemia
is recommended. (strong recommendation) l
Time in range is associated with the risk of
microvascular complications and can be used for assessment of glycemic
control. Additionally, time below range and time above range are useful
parameters for the evaluation of the treatment plan. (Conditional recommendation). l
If using an ambulatory glucose profile/glucose
management indicator to assess glycemia, a parallel goal for many nonpregnant
adults is TIR >70% with time below range <4% and time <54 mg/dL <1%.
For those with frailty or at high risk of hypoglycemia, a goal of >50% TIR
with <1% time below range is recommended. (Conditional recommendation). l
On the basis of health care professional judgment
and patient preference, achievement of lower HbA1c levels than the goal of 7%
may be acceptable and even beneficial if it can be achieved safely without
significant hypoglycemia or other adverse effects of treatment. (Strong recommendation) l Less
stringent HbA1c targets (such as <8% may be appropriate for patients with
limited life expectancy or where the harms of treatment are greater than the
benefits. (Strong recommendation). l
Healthcare professionals should consider
deintensification of therapy if appropriate to reduce the risk of
hypoglycemia in patients with inappropriate stringent HbA1c targets. (Strong recommendation).
Recommendations