Harris R, Donahue K, Rathore SS, Frame P, Woolf SH, Lohr KN. Screening adults for type 2 diabetes: A review of the evidence for the US Preventive Services Task Force. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2003;138(3):215-229.

This paper discusses the rationale for why a screening program aids in identifying undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and what should, or should not, be done.

Vijan S, Hayward RA. Treatment of hypertension in type 2 diabetes mellitus: Blood pressure goals, choice of agents, and setting priorities in diabetes care. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2003;138(7):593-602.

Review of the clinical trial literature that demonstrates that tight control of hypertension is of primary importance in preventing both microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes.

Sever PS, Dahlof B, Poulter NR, et al. Prevention of coronary and stroke events with atorvastatin in hypertensive patients who have average or lower-than-average cholesterol concentrations, in the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial — Lipid Lowering Arm (ASCOT-LLA): A multicentre randomized controlled trial. Lancet. 2003;361(9364):1149-1158.

These two clinical trials found substantial reductions in cardiovascular events with the use of a statin in patients with diabetes. The benefits were independent of their baseline LDL-Cholesterol level. These findings suggest that most patients with diabetes will benefit from being put on a statin even when their LDL-C is naturally low.

Wagner EH, Glasgow RE, Davis C, Bonomi AE, Provost L, McCulloch D, Carver P, Sixta C. Quality improvement in chronic illness care: A collaborative approach. Joint Commission Journal on Quality Improvement. 2001;27(2):63-80.

Despite rapid advances in the clinical and psycho-educational management of diabetes, the quality of care received by the average patient with diabetes remains lackluster. The "collaborative" approach, developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, coupled with a Chronic Care Model was used in an effort to improve clinical care of diabetes in 26 health care organizations.

Sperl-Hillen J, O'Connor PJ, Carlson RR, Lawson TB, Halstenson C, Crowson T, Wuorenma J. Improving diabetes care in a large system: An enhanced primary care approach. Joint Commission Journal on Quality Improvement. 2000;26(11):615-622.

This article describes the success of one large medical group participating in the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI) diabetes collaborative and in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Breakthrough Series on improving care for people with chronic conditions.