Collaboration is key for better care and medication management. “As long as we’re involved from the beginning, I think we can work together and start insulin or do whatever is necessary,” Dr. Halprin says.
Vanessa Caceres is a medical writer in Bradenton, Fla.
Diabetes Facts
In the U.S., 30.3 million people, or 9.4% of the population, are living with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Of those, 1.25 million have type 1 diabetes. Dr. Miller is one of the millions living with type 1 diabetes.
Of the 30.3 million Americans with diabetes, 7.2 million are not yet diagnosed.
One in three adults—84.1 million—has prediabetes, which could develop into type 2 diabetes if appropriate changes are not made.
These numbers demonstrate why doctors should remain constantly vigilant about the presence of diabetes.
“The first line of defense for the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of type 2 diabetes will always be the primary care physician,” Dr. Acosta says.
Patients usually are started on single or combination oral therapy and are given a glucometer and taught how to manage their glucose/blood sugar. They are also counseled on diet and exercise. “When the [patient’s condition] is still not controlled, and it is more difficult to manage, requiring injectables and multiple medications with complications, then the PCP will refer to endocrinology,” Dr. Acosta explains. Patients with type 1 diabetes require care from endocrinologists due to the complexity of their care, she says.
Reference
- Albrecht K, Ramos Al, Hoffman F, et al. High prevalence of diabetes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Results from a questionnaire survey linked to claims data. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2018 Feb 1;57(2):329–336.
