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NIH: HbA1c, BP, LDL levels still suboptimal for many with diabetes
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Despite the increased prevalence of diabetes in recent years and an effort to raise awareness of comorbidities associated with the disease through clinical education, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggest that HbA1c, BP and LDL cholesterol levels are not where they should be among adults with diabetes. Minority groups are particularly at risk for morbidity or mortality, according to researchers.
“The most impressive finding was the significant improvement in diabetes management over time across all groups,” Catherine Cowie, PhD, researcher and director of the diabetes epidemiology program at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, said in a press release. “However, we see a lot of room for improvement, for everyone, but particularly for younger people and some minority groups.”
Researchers collected data in a cross-sectional study of the NHANES from 1988-1994, 1999-2002, 2003-2006 and 2007-2010. The patients included 4,926 adults aged 20 years or older with a self-reported diagnosis of diabetes, according to researchers.
Results were broken down by NHANES data, and main outcome measures included HbA1c, BP and LDL cholesterol. According to data from 2007 to 2010, 52.5% of patients with diabetes had HbA1c levels less than 7%, with 51.1% having BP below 130 mm Hg/80 mm Hg and 56.2% with LDL cholesterol levels less than 100 mg/dL. These findings were significantly better compared with the 1988 to 1994 data (all P<.05). From 1988 to 1994 (4.2%) and 2007 to 2010 (51.4%; P<.01), the researchers reported a significant increase in statin use.
Among minority groups, Mexican Americans had poorer HbA1c and LDL goals (P<.03) compared with non-Hispanic whites, whereas non-Hispanic blacks were also less likely to score well on BP or LDL goals (P<.02), researchers wrote.
When compared with non-Hispanic blacks, Mexican Americans were also less likely to make HbA1c goals (P<.01). The study also led to the conclusion that young patients with diabetes were less likely to reach HbA1c and LDL goals, researchers wrote.
The researchers suggest improved access to care, education and self-management support and recommend further research to improve the long-term health status of patients with diabetes.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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