In response to the CMAJ article by Lipscombe and colleagues,1 I argue that the idea that slavish adherence to a specific number makes for better outcomes is untenable. The biochemical markers of diabetes and its complications are continuous variables. Treating someone who is 5′1″ as short and someone who is 5′2″ as tall is, of course, nonsense.
Parameters must be seen as a gestalt, not as rules, especially if there are substantial (nondiabetic) comorbidities. We are treating people, not numbers.
With respect to “marketing disguised as philanthropy,” I am delighted to see this called out in public, and conflict of interest as well.