Predictors of Glycemic Control among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Najran Armed Forces Hospital: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a serious condition with potentially devastating complications that affects all age groups worldwide. The purposes of this study are to describe the glycemic control levels and to determine the associated factors of poor glycemic control among type 2 diabetes patients followed in Najran Armed Forces Hospital. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of administrative data from adult patients with diabetes type 2 followed in NAFH clinics. To be included in the pilot study, patients needed to meet the following criteria: 1) Be identified as having diabetes type 2 using algorithms employed by disease management oasis program; 2) Be at least aged 18; 3) Be male or female; 4) Have Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) and HbA1c measured at least twice during the last year. Both univariate and multivariate approaches of logistic regression were applied to determine factors associated with poor glycemic control. Results: Data from a total of 100 patients were analyzed. There were 22% of patients that achieved glycemic control. The risk factors associated with poor glycemic control were being female, age < 65 years old and those who had not achieved the target total cholesterol. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that diabetic control is suboptimal. This study provides factors that predict poor glycemic control. With this information, subgroups with high risk of disease morbidity were identified. Barriers that prevent these patients from meeting their goals must be explored to improve health outcomes.