[Current clinical practice guidelines in type 2 diabetes: how should they be applied in primary care?]. / Guías actuales de práctica clínica en la diabetes mellitus tipo 2: ¿cómo aplicarlas en atención primaria?

Clinical practice guidelines should be drawn up with systematic methodology based on the best available evidence. Recommendations should be based on evaluation of the overall quality of the evidence and grading of the strength of recommendations. Consensus documents combine a review of the evidence with expert opinion in an attempt to reach some agreement in areas of uncertainty due to the lack of conclusive proof. The debate aroused by new treatments stimulates the production of documents advocating their use even when there are few long-term studies on their safety and efficacy. There are several methodologically rigorous international guidelines on diabetes (NGC, NICE, SIGN, CAD, ADA). The most recent debate has centered on the ADA-EASD treatment algorithm. In Spain, the production of clinical practice guidelines with analysis of the evidence and grading of recommendations remains scarce, although the most recent published guidelines show greater rigor. More common is the drafting of consensus documents by scientific societies with the aim of combining external evidence with experience and reflection. In Spain there are also organisms (such as GuíaSalud or Fisterra) that facilitate free access to guidelines drawn up by Spanish groups.

[Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk. Is integrated therapy of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors necessary?]. / La diabetes mellitus y el riesgo cardiovascular. ¿Es necesario el tratamiento integral de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the first cause of death in the Spanish population among both diabetics and non-diabetics. In diabetes, CVD is between 2 and 4 times more frequent, earlier and more aggressive. With current measures, approximately 50% of CVD can be prevented. The risk factors for CVD in diabetes are hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity and sedentariness. More than 80% of patient with type 2 diabetes have hypertension and dyslipidemia and approximately 15% continue to smoke. However, all these factors are controlled in at least 10%. Although dyslipidemia is the most influential and least treated factor, the greatest benefit for CVD prevention is obtained with integrated intervention on all risk factors, reducing blood pressure to below 140/80 mmHg, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) to below 100 mg/dl, encouraging smoking cessation, regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight (BMI < 25 kg/m²). In secondary prevention or persons with microvascular disease, the targets may be stricter (blood pressure 130/80 mmHg and LDL-c 80 mg/dl). Drug treatment should always include an angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor antagonist and a statin. Aspirin should be reserved for patients in secondary prevention or with very high CV risk. Consequently, interventions should be prioritized according to the foreseeable risk for each patient, which can be estimated through the SCORE scale or other scales such as Regicor or UKPDS, with a SCORE > 5% indicating high risk. These high-risk patients should receive personalized care.