Summary and implications for clinical practice and research in adult populations

Diabetes has been recognized for over 5000 years. For generations, the ability to effectively treat it was virtually nonexistent. Fortunately, over the past few decades, there has been a virtual explosion of advances that have significantly changed the ability to control the disease. These include the discovery and production of insulin, the growth of a wide array of pharmacologic treatments, and the increasing use of advanced technologies that enable us to assess the adequacy of therapy and make appropriate therapeutic decisions. For example, the introduction of using glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, systems that enable patients to measure their glucose at home, and the continuing rise of continuous glucose monitoring have significantly improved therapeutic strategies and patients’ ability to self-manage their condition. In addition, the role of education in achieving more optimal outcomes is now widely recognized and routinely integrated into routine care.