GLP-1 receptor agonists and their role in managing type 2 diabetes

There are three components to diabetes care. These are prevention, treatment and management. Linda Nazarko explains how nurses are increasingly adopting a holistic model of diabetes care. Until recently the focus in diabetes care was on managing blood glucose – a glucocentric view. This is changing to a more holistic model aimed at prevention, treatment and management through lifestyle interventions as well as medication. An estimated 5 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, most have type 2 diabetes which is associated with obesity. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented, treated with diet and weight loss, or managed with medication. The number of people with diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. To manage diabetes well and reduce complications of poorly managed diabetes, management of the condition can no longer be restricted to endocrinologists and diabetes specialist nurses. This article provides guidance on how glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists can be used in the management of type 2 diabetes.