Glycemic control from 1988 to 2000 among U.S. adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes: a preliminary report.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the changes in demographics, antidiabetic treatment, and glycemic control among the prevalent U.S. adult diagnosed type 2 diabetes population between the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III (1988-1994) and the initial release of NHANES 1999-2000.


METHODS
The study population was derived from NHANES III (n = 1,215) and NHANES 1999-2000 (n = 372) subjects who reported a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes with available data on diabetes medication and HbA(1c). Four therapeutic regimens were defined: diet only, insulin only, oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) only, or OADs plus insulin. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine changes in antidiabetic regimens and glycemic control rates over time, adjusted for demographic and clinical risk factors. The outcome measure for glycemic control was HbA(1c). Glycemic control rates were defined as the proportion of type 2 diabetic patients with HbA(1c) level <7%.


RESULTS
Dietary treatment in individuals with diabetes decreased as the sole therapy from 27.4 to 20.2% between the surveys. Insulin use also decreased from 24.2 to 16.4%, while those on OADs only increased from 45.4 to 52.5%. Combination of OADs and insulin increased from 3.1 to 11.0%. Glycemic control rates declined from 44.5% in NHANES III (1988-1994) to 35.8% in NHANES 1999-2000.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment regimens among U.S. adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have changed substantially over the past 10 years. However, a decrease in glycemic control rates was also observed during this time period. This trend may contribute to increased rates of macrovascular and microvascular diabetic complications, which may impact health care costs. Our data support the public health message of implementation of early, aggressive management of diabetes.
Koro
Carol E
CE
GlaxoSmithKline, Upper Providence, Pennsylvania, USA. ckoro001@umaryland.edu
Bowlin
Steven J
SJ
Bourgeois
Nancy
N
Fedder
Donald O
DO
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003710:Demography; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D005006:Ethnicity; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin