Glycemic Variability: How Do We Measure It and Why Is It Important?.
10.4093/dmj.2015.39.4.273
- Author:
Sunghwan SUH
1
;
Jae Hyeon KIM
Author Information
1. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Dong-A Medical Center, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Diabetes complications;
Diabetes mellitus;
Glycemic variability
- MeSH:
Bariatric Surgery;
Blood Glucose;
Consensus;
Diabetes Complications;
Diabetes Mellitus;
Glucose;
Hyperglycemia;
Insulin;
Insulins;
Risk Factors
- From:Diabetes & Metabolism Journal
2015;39(4):273-282
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Chronic hyperglycemia is the primary risk factor for the development of complications in diabetes mellitus (DM); however, it is believed that frequent or large glucose fluctuations may independently contribute to diabetes-related complications. Postprandial spikes in blood glucose, as well as hypoglycemic events, are blamed for increased cardiovascular events in DM. Glycemic variability (GV) includes both of these events; hence, minimizing GV can prevent future cardiovascular events. Correcting GV emerges as a target to be pursued in clinical practice to safely reduce the mean blood glucose and to determine its direct effects on vascular complications in diabetes. Modern diabetes management modalities, including glucagon-related peptide-1-based therapy, newer insulins, modern insulin pumps and bariatric surgery, significantly reduce GV. However, defining GV remains a challenge primarily due to the difficulty of measuring it and the lack of consensus regarding the optimal approach for its management. The purpose of this manuscript was not only to review the most recent evidence on GV but also to help readers better understand the available measurement options and how the various definitions relate differently to the development of diabetic complications.
