An audit on diabetes management in Asian patients treated by specialists: the Diabcare-Asia 1998 and 2003 studies.
OBJECTIVE
To collect information on diabetes management, including psychosocial aspects, in patients managed by specialists 5 years after they were first surveyed in 1998.


METHODS
Data on demography, diabetes status, management and complications were collected via medical records, interview and laboratory assessments. HbA(1c) was analysed by a central laboratory prospectively.


RESULTS
Patient profile was similar in the 1998 (N = 21,838) and 2003 cohorts (N = 15,549): 95% were diagnosed as type 2 diabetes mellitus and were obese (BMI approximately 25 kg/m(2)). Glycaemic control was unsatisfactory in many patients (mean HbA(1c) approximately 8%; fasting glucose approximately 9 mmol/L). Lipids were well-controlled but hypertension was not. The incidence of neuropathy ( approximately 33%) and cataract ( approximately 27%) were high. The majority ( approximately 71%) of patients in both cohorts were treated with oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) monotherapy; approximately 24% were on insulin therapy. Approximately half of the 2003 cohort reported a healthy state of well-being. Quality of life did not appear to have suffered as a result of having diabetes. However, many patients were worried about hypoglycaemic risk (53.9%) or worsening of diabetes (45.8%) and insulin initiation (64.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Although both cohorts were separate cross-sectional studies of diabetes management status in Asia, the results showed that the demography profile, glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk factors were remarkably similar in both cohorts 5 years after the first survey. More concerted efforts are needed to increase diabetes awareness and education.
Mohamed
Mafauzy
M
Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia. mafauzy@kb.usm.my
D001208:Asia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents