Do persons with diabetes know their (A1C) number?
The objective of this study was to compare self-reported knowledge about A1C testing with information from the medical record.



A telephone survey was conducted among patients with diabetes in a rural fee-for-service practice and a community health center. Self-reported information regarding A1C testing, the last A1C value, and perceived blood glucose control was compared with the most current A1C value documented in the medical record.



Seventy five percent of survey respondents reported having 1 or more A1C tests in the past year, which generally agreed with information from their medical records. However, only 24% of those who reported having a test remembered the actual value, and the self-reported values correlated weakly with the last A1C on the medical record. Among those with a documented A1C value, half described their blood glucose as very well controlled. The last A1C value, however, was < 7.0% in only half of those respondents.



Persons with diabetes were aware of their previous A1C testing but did not interpret the values accurately in relation to their own glycemic control. If clinicians expect patient knowledge and understanding of glycemic control measures to improve outcomes of care, patient education will need to emphasize the meaning of these values.
Harwell
Todd S
TS
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Helena
Dettori
Nancy
N
The Park County Diabetes Project, Livingston, Montana
McDowall
Janet M
JM
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Helena
Quesenberry
Kim
K
The Park County Diabetes Project, Livingston, Montana
Priest
Linda
L
North-west Resource Consultants, Helena, Montana
Butcher
Marcene K
MK
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Helena
Flook
Benjamin N
BN
The Park County Diabetes Project, Livingston, Montana
Helgerson
Steven D
SD
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Helena
Gohdes
Dorothy
D
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Helena
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D008499:Medical Records; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D015415:Biomarkers; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin