Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes
Published on: March 7, 2025
[Association of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c control with the complications in type 2 diabetic patients]
Ya-bin Jiang1, Li-hong Nie, Chun-xia Jing
1Emergency Department, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China. tjiangyb@jnu.edu.cn
Insights
Type 2 diabetes patients often have poor glycemic control, with over 64% showing elevated GHbA1c levels. This poor control is linked to increased risks of hypertension, cerebrovascular issues, neuropathy, and fatty liver disease.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Diabetology
- Public Health
Background:
- Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (GHbA1c) is a key indicator of long-term glycemic control in diabetes management.
- Suboptimal GHbA1c control is a significant risk factor for the development and progression of diabetic complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of adequate GHbA1c control among type 2 diabetic patients.
- To examine the association between GHbA1c control levels and the incidence of various diabetic complications.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 676 type 2 diabetes patients was analyzed.
- Patients were stratified into two groups based on GHbA1c levels: ≤7% (good control) and >7% (poor control).
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare complication rates between the two groups.
Main Results:
- Only 35.1% of patients achieved good GHbA1c control (≤7%).
- Poor GHbA1c control (>7%) was significantly associated with higher rates of hypertension (69.9% vs. 55.7%) and cerebrovascular complications (21.8% vs. 8.9%).
- Higher incidences of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (46.0% vs. 35.0%) and fatty liver (36.9% vs. 25.3%) were observed in patients with poor glycemic control.
Conclusions:
- Type 2 diabetes patients exhibit a low rate of successful GHbA1c control.
- Inadequate glycemic management is linked to an increased risk of several diabetic complications.
- Enhanced diabetic health education and regular GHbA1c monitoring are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Objective:
To investigate the status of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (GHbA(1c)) control in type 2 diabetic patients and its relation to diabetic complications.
Methods:
A total of 676 patients with type 2 diabetes were investigated for GHbA(1c) level and the diabetic complications. The patients were divided into two groups with GHbA(1c) >7% and GHbA(1c)< or =7%, and the relation of GHbA(1c) with the complications was analyzed.
Results:
The rate of good GHbA(1c) control (GHbA(1c)< or =7%) was 35.1% (237/676) in these patients, and 64.9% (439/676) of the patients showed poor GHbA(1c) control (GHbA(1c)>7%). The rates of hypertension and cerebralovascular complications were significantly higher in patients with GHbA(1c)>7% than in those with GHbA(1c)< or =7% (69.9% vs 55.7%, and 21.8% vs 8.9%, respectively, P<0.001), but the rate of coronary heart disease was comparable between the two groups (18.7% vs 17.3%, P>0.05). The patients with poor GHbA(1c) control had significantly higher incidences of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and fatty liver than those with good GHbA(1c) control (46.0% vs 35.0%, and 36.9% vs 25.3%, respectively, P<0.01), but no significant differences were found in the incidences of diabetic nephropathy (18.7% vs 16.5%), diabetic retinopathy (30.8% vs 27.4%) or diabetic feet (5.0% vs 3.8%) between the two groups (P>0.05).
Conclusion:
Type 2 diabetic patients have generally low rate of successful GHbA(1c) control, which can be associated with the occurrence of diabetic complications, suggesting the necessity of more rigorous diabetic health education and GHbA(1c) monitoring in these patients.
Related Concept Videos
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Hyperglycemia
Diabetic Retinopathy
Complications of Diabetes Mellitus
Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis