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Glycemic control among diabetic patients
1Department of Primary Care, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Blood glucose control is poor for many diabetic patients in Riyadh
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is a significant public health concern.
- Effective glycemic control is crucial for preventing diabetes complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the level of blood glucose control among diabetic patients.
- To assess glycemic control in Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs) in Riyadh.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 991 diabetic patients from 3 randomly selected PHCs in Riyadh.
- Fasting blood glucose levels were categorized into excellent, acceptable, and poor control.
- Data collected during March and April 2000.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of patients exhibited poor glycemic control (49% in the first reading, 44% in the second).
- Excellent glycemic control was achieved by only 21% (first reading) and 25% (second reading) of patients.
- The majority of patients fell into the acceptable or poor control categories.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes mellitus is inadequately controlled in a large number of patients attending Riyadh's PHCs.
- There is a need for enhanced public education and awareness programs.
- Programs should emphasize lifestyle modifications and home self-monitoring of blood glucose.
Objective:
This study was carried out to assess control of blood glucose among diabetic patients attending Primary Health Care Centers in Riyadh.
Methods:
It is a retrospective study where fasting blood glucose reading for all diabetic patients attending 3 randomly selected Primary Health Care Centers in Riyadh was taken during the months of March and April 2000. The patients were divided into 3 categories: those with excellent, those with acceptable and those with poor glycemic control (Fasting blood sugar 4-7, 7-10 and more than 10 mmol/litres).
Results:
A total of 991 diabetic patients were involved in the study (83% men and 62% women). Those with excellent glycemic control represent 21% of patients in the first reading and 25% of the patients in the second readings, while those with poor control represent 49% and 44% of the patients in the two readings. The remaining are in the acceptable category.
Conclusion:
Diabetes mellitus is poorly controlled in a large proportion of diabetic patients attending Primary Health Care Centers in Riyadh. Public education and awareness programs should be encouraged. Such programs must include the importance of appropriate life style changes and of self monitoring of blood glucose at home.