Table 1.

Treatment goals for intervention group

	Good control	Acceptable control	Poor control
Fasting blood glucose (mmol/l)*	⩽7.0	⩽8.0	>8.0
Non-fasting blood glucose (mmol/l)*	⩽9.0	⩽11.0	>11.0
Glycated haemoglobin (%)†	⩽7.0	⩽8.5	>8.5
Diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg)	⩽90	⩽100	>100
Total cholesterol (mmol/l)	⩽6.0	⩽7.0	>7.0
Fasting triglyceride (mmol/l)	⩽2.0	⩽5.0	>5.0

^*Capillary whole blood glucose. 

^†Reference range 5.4-7.4%. 

Instructions for general practitioners: The aim is normalisation of blood glucose, blood pressure, lipids, and possibly weight. For some patients, it will be impossible or even inappropriate to try to achieve the ideal goal, but prolonged symptoms of hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia must not be accepted for any patient. From an overall therapeutic point of view, the general practitioner chooses to aim at the treatment goals in one of the three categories. The choice of category is primarily based on glycated haemoglobin. Good control (normalisation of metabolism) is particularly relevant in young and middle aged patients and in well motivated older patients. Acceptable control applies to some older patients and patients who are difficult to treat or motivate. Poor control (freedom from symptoms) is intended for use when treatment has shown that any other goal is beyond reach.