The draft guidance for adults with type 1 proposes providing better control of the condition with intensive insulin management, using either multiple daily injections or insulin pumps. The guideline states that insulin therapy should be offered alongside dietary advice specific to treatments. They also recommend providing courses for patients, to help them understand how carbohydrates can affect blood sugar or medicines.
The guidelines also recommend that adults with type 1 diabetes should have their blood sugar measured every three to six months by a healthcare professional. People with diabetes should be supported to self-monitor their blood sugar four times a day, the guidance says.
The guidelines focused on children with type 1 and 2 diabetes assert that children with diabetes are usually overweight, which leads to complications with their cholesterol levels, kidneys and blood pressure. The guidelines contain recommendations on diagnosing and treating these conditions.
Professor Mark Baker, director of clinical practice at NICE said: 'It is now possible for many to achieve much stricter targets for their blood sugar levels. Both draft guidelines cover new knowledge and technologies which support better diabetes control, with evidence-based advice on how to use this to support adults and children in living their lives to the fullest.'
NICE has estimated there are 24,000 children with type 1 diabetes and 450 with type 2, and over 370,000 adults with type 1 diabetes in the UK.
Professor Baker added: 'There are recommendations on the appropriate diagnosis, insulin therapy, dietary advice, hospital care and education courses to offer adults and children with diabetes, as well as their family and carers. We now want to hear from all those involved in the care of adults and children with diabetes to inform our recommendations and shape the final guideline.'
NICE also plans to update its guidelines on diabetic foot care and managing type 2 diabetes in adults. These will be open for consultation in January 2015.