Intensive control of blood glucose levels reduces the risk of kidney infections in diabetic patients by upto one-fifth, a new study has said.

Kidney diseases are one of the most serious consequences of Diabetes leading to death of one in five people with diabetes.

"Reducing the haemogloboin A1c level (a marker of blood glucose control) to 6.5 per cent is a safe and effective way to reduce serious complications, particularly the risk of kidney disease, one of the most serious and disabling consequences of diabetes," Chief investigator of the study, Professor Stephen MacMahon, Principal Director of The George Institute, Australia said.

Presented on Saturday at the American Diabetes Association and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the results of Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease (ADVANCE) has provided vital information to India about the effects of managing blood glucose levels in diabetes.

"These findings reinforce that blood glucose lowering in diabetes is safe and has an important role to play in the prevention of serious complications," MacMahon said.

The study involved 11,140 patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated and followed up for five years. The study aimed to reduce levels of haemogloboin A1c to 6.5 per cent or below.

Intensive treatment included the sulfonylurea, modified-release gliclazide, for all patients and other drugs as required to achieve the haemoglobin target.