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DCCT was a large, comprehensive clinical study conducted in the US from 1983 to 1993 and designed to find out if a better glycaemic control might prevent or slow the onset and progression of long-term complications such as eye, kidney and nerve diseases in people with Type 1 diabetes. The study compared the effects of different treatment strategies among 1441 volunteers’ patients randomly assigned to 2 groups over a period of 10 years:
Conventional therapy:
- 1 to 2 injections/day
- 1 to 2 blood tests/day
- Medical visit every 3 months
Intensive therapy:
- 3 to 4 insulin injections/day (or use of an insulin pump)
- 4 to 5 blood tests/day
- Diet and exercise plan
- Monthly visit to healthcare team
- Frequent telephone contacts for review & treatment adjustments
The overall study was successful and showed dramatic beneficial results, even in history of poor control. An improved blood glucose control showed to reduce the risk of:
- Diabetic eye disease by 76% & Progression of pre-existing eye disease by 54%
- Diabetic kidney disease by 34% & Progression of pre-existing kidney disease by 56%
- Diabetic nerve disease by 57% to 69% (depending on the presence or not of diabetes related complications)
