HbAlc in an unselected population of 4438 people with type 2 diabetes in a Danish county.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use and level of HbA1c in a large unselected Type 2 diabetic population in Denmark. In addition, to describe the characteristics of the patients and the general practitioners in relation to the monitoring of HbA1c.


METHODS
Data were collected from public data files for the period January 1993 to December 1997.


METHODS
The County of Vejle with a background population of 342,597 citizens, 303,250 of whom were listed with participating general practitioners.


METHODS
The Type 2 diabetic population alive and resident in the county on 1 January 1997.


RESULTS
In a population of 4438 Type 2 diabetics, 73% had a minimum of one annual HbA1c measurement in 1997. No HbA1c measurement was associated with a long history of diabetes, diet treatment or old age. Poor glycaemic regulation was found in 65% of the Type 2 diabetics in 1997. Poor glycaemic regulation was associated with tablet or insulin treatment, age under 70 years and long history of diabetes. The interpractice variation was huge.


CONCLUSIONS
The quality of HbA1c monitoring of Type 2 diabetics needs to be improved. Possibilities for improvement seem to be present.
Kristensen
J K
JK
Department of General Practice, University of Aarhus, Denmark. jkk@alm.au.dk
Bro
F
F
Sandbaek
A
A
Dahler-Eriksen
K
K
Lassen
J F
JF
Lauritzen
T
T
D000368:Aged; D003718:Denmark; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012042:Registries
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin