Prospective randomized trials have established the importance of glycemic control for the patient with type 2 diabetes with respect to both the outcomes of critical illness treated in the hospital and chronic microvascular complications of diabetes. For other conditions initially recognized in the ambulatory setting, the caregiver is called upon to determine not only whether intensification of antihyperglycemic management is required, but also within what timeframe it must be achieved, and in what setting care will be conducted. Despite the paucity of data on the potential importance of strict glycemic control to concomitant ambulatory conditions other than the classic tissue complications of diabetes, we will attempt to review those conditions for which some evidence exists on the following questions: Does risk of development of the condition correlate with the presence of diabetes? Does risk of development of the condition correlate with glycemic control? Do outcomes of the condition correlate with glycemic control? Do outcomes of the condition correlate with the presence of diabetes? Does the co-morbidity itself affect diabetic control or risk of developing diabetes? Strategies for outpatient care during intercurrent illness are suggested, with remarks about preadmission and postdischarge hospital care.