This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-28090419
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Diabetes drugs 'may not be best' | Diabetes drugs 'may not be best' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The downsides of taking medication for type-2 diabetes may exceed the benefits for some patients, researchers have advised. | The downsides of taking medication for type-2 diabetes may exceed the benefits for some patients, researchers have advised. |
Their study, published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, argued elderly people had the least to gain. | Their study, published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, argued elderly people had the least to gain. |
The team at University College London (UCL) has called on doctors to discuss the risks more clearly with patients. | The team at University College London (UCL) has called on doctors to discuss the risks more clearly with patients. |
The charity Diabetes UK said doctors needed to strike a careful balance when prescribing treatment. | The charity Diabetes UK said doctors needed to strike a careful balance when prescribing treatment. |
Type-2 diabetes is an inability to control blood sugar levels and is linked to lifestyle factors including diet and obesity. | Type-2 diabetes is an inability to control blood sugar levels and is linked to lifestyle factors including diet and obesity. |
In the long-term it is linked to heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage and even blindness. | In the long-term it is linked to heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage and even blindness. |
Drugs such as metformin can be used to lower blood sugar levels to prevent the side effects. | Drugs such as metformin can be used to lower blood sugar levels to prevent the side effects. |
Cost vs benefit | Cost vs benefit |
The report, which was carried out by the University of Michigan as well as UCL, said an average 45-year-old who dropped their blood sugar levels by one percentage point would gain 10 months of healthy life, compared with three weeks for a 75-year-old starting treatment. | |
It added this needed to be balanced against the down-sides to a lifetime of medication including: Having to have multiple injections and blood sugar tests each day, drugs causing indigestion or sickness, or insulin treatments risking blood sugar levels dropping dangerously low (hypoglycaemia). | It added this needed to be balanced against the down-sides to a lifetime of medication including: Having to have multiple injections and blood sugar tests each day, drugs causing indigestion or sickness, or insulin treatments risking blood sugar levels dropping dangerously low (hypoglycaemia). |
One of the report's authors, Prof John Yudkin, told the BBC: "What it means is if you're someone with type-2, it's your right to know what the benefits of the treatment are in terms of gain in life expectancy or reduction in heart attacks or going blind. | One of the report's authors, Prof John Yudkin, told the BBC: "What it means is if you're someone with type-2, it's your right to know what the benefits of the treatment are in terms of gain in life expectancy or reduction in heart attacks or going blind. |
"And then you are entitled to decide, but not many doctors have got those figures to hand." | "And then you are entitled to decide, but not many doctors have got those figures to hand." |
He said GPs were too "target focussed" and were often looking only at the blood sugar level. | He said GPs were too "target focussed" and were often looking only at the blood sugar level. |
The findings do not apply to people with type-1 diabetes. | The findings do not apply to people with type-1 diabetes. |
Balance needed | Balance needed |
Commenting on the report, Simon O'Neill, the director for health intelligence at Diabetes UK, said: "Sometimes there is a balance to be struck where certain medications might help give someone a longer life, but also cause side effects that might negatively impact on quality of life. | Commenting on the report, Simon O'Neill, the director for health intelligence at Diabetes UK, said: "Sometimes there is a balance to be struck where certain medications might help give someone a longer life, but also cause side effects that might negatively impact on quality of life. |
"This study highlights the importance of looking at the individual needs of the person with type-2 diabetes, rather than adopting a blanket approach." | "This study highlights the importance of looking at the individual needs of the person with type-2 diabetes, rather than adopting a blanket approach." |
Patients are advised not to make any decisions without consulting their GP. | Patients are advised not to make any decisions without consulting their GP. |
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which advises the NHS on medication, said: "The current NICE guidance on the management of type-2 diabetes recognises that glycaemic [sugar] control targets should not impair a person's quality of life as a result of the side effects of treatment. | The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which advises the NHS on medication, said: "The current NICE guidance on the management of type-2 diabetes recognises that glycaemic [sugar] control targets should not impair a person's quality of life as a result of the side effects of treatment. |
"Where medication does not help achieve this target level, lifestyle therapies such as dietary advice should be offered." | "Where medication does not help achieve this target level, lifestyle therapies such as dietary advice should be offered." |
Refreshed guidelines are due to be published next summer. | Refreshed guidelines are due to be published next summer. |
Previous version
1
Next version