Latest estimations show there are approximately 2.8 million people with diabetes living in the UK.1 Diabetes is a complex condition that can lead to the development of a number of disabling, expensive-to-treat micro- and macrovascular complications.
Diabetes reduces life expectancy by 5-10 years and is the most common cause for renal replacement therapy worldwide, the most common cause of blindness in people aged under 65, and the most common cause of non-traumatic amputations.2 Type-2 diabetes in particular is associated with a number of risk factors in the development of cardiovascular disease, and so usually requires a variety of medications for hypertension, dyslipidaemia and glucose management.
Most people with diabetes will access their diabetes care from a number of different health professionals, who form the diabetes multi-disciplinary team. This support will cover different aspects of their diabetes care, for example to screening for complications, managing medicines, screening for risk factors, or treat complications. The potential for aspects of care being missed or replicated in such a complex condition and with so much input from different health-care professionals is significant.
The function of the diabetes annual review is to monitor all aspects of an individual's diabetes care. The results should form the basis of a management plan for the next year, with clear targets agreed with the patient.
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