Diabetes: From Research to Clinical Practice

Abstract

The number of people living with diabetes, the number of deaths attributable to it, and the cost of treating the disease and its complications are increasing exponentially. Centuries of research led to the discovery of insulin and other drugs based on pathophysiology from “the triumvirate to ominous octet”. The agonists of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor, and the inhibitors of the sodium-glucose transport protein 2 (SGLT2) are the new drugs that improve cardiovascular outcomes and provide renal protection, and they are being used increasingly for evidence-based treatment of type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgery, when indicated, results in excellent weight- and metabolic-control, and in many instances even remission of diabetes. Technological advances like Flash glucose monitoring, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) have improved glycemic control, reduced episodes of severe hypoglycemia, and improved quality of life. For the treatment of diabetic macular edema intravitreal injection of several anti-VEGF agents are being used. Numerous people living in the middle- and low-income countries cannot afford the costs of care of diabetes. Institutions like the World Health Organization, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund should roll out plans to convince the politicians to invest more in improving the diabetes care facilities.