Tight glycaemic control reduces the risk of development and progression of organ complications in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

In this position statement, the Australian Diabetes Society recommends a general target glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level of ≤ 7.0% for most patients.

This position statement also provides guidelines for the individualisation of glycaemic targets to a tighter or lesser degree, with a recommended target HbA1c level of ≤ 6.0% in some people, or up to ≤ 8.0% in others.

Individualisation of the HbA1c target is based on patient-specific factors, such as the type of diabetes and its duration, pregnancy, diabetes medication being taken, presence of cardiovascular disease, risk of and problems from hypoglycaemia, and comorbidities.

Management of diabetes also includes: adequate control of other cardiovascular risk factors, including weight, blood pressure and lipid serum levels; antiplatelet therapy; and smoking cessation.