Diabetes is a syndrome characterized by disordered metabolism and inappropriately high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia), resulting from either low levels of the hormone insulin, or from abnormal resistance to insulin's effects coupled with inadequate levels of insulin secretion to compensate. The characteristic symptoms are excessive urine production (polyuria), excessive thirst and increased fluid intake (polydipsia), and blurred vision. These symptoms are likely to be absent if the blood sugar is only mildly elevated.

Diabetes can cause many complications. Acute complications (hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis or nonketotic hyperosmolar coma) may occur if the disease is not adequately controlled. Serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure, retinal damage (which can lead to blindness), nerve damage (of several kinds), and microvascular damage, which may cause impotence and poor healing. Poor healing of wounds, particularly of the feet, can lead to gangrene, which may require amputation.

Adequate treatment of diabetes, as well as increased emphasis on the control of blood glucose and blood pressure, together with lifestyle factors (such as not smoking and keeping a healthy body weight), may improve the risk profile of most of these complications. In the developed world, diabetes is the most significant cause of adult blindness in the non-elderly and the leading cause of non-traumatic amputation in adults.

There are currently over 2.3 million* people with diabetes in the UK and up to another 750,000* people with diabetes who have the condition and don’t know it.
* Source: Diabetes UK

The Afinion Analyzer System, developed by Axis-Shield, makes it possible to easily and rapidly determine HbA1c and albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) in the physician’s office. The system will simplify diabetes monitoring, facilitating treatment management and prevention of late complications. It may also increase the patient’s motivation to comply with treatment and lifestyle changes to optimise prognosis.

To find out how Axis-Shield can help you manage your diabetes patients more effectively, please call us on 01480 862100 or email: Diabetes@axis-shielduk.com