Glycemic control and its correlates in patients with diabetes in Venezuela: results from a nationwide survey.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of inadequate glycemic control and its correlates in a large multicenter survey of Venezuelan patients with diabetes.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study in a sample of adult patients with diabetes, attending health centers in Venezuela. Information about diabetes, current medications, complications, and diet were obtained by trained interviewers, using a standardized questionnaire. HbA(1c) was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in a central laboratory. Patients with HbA(1c) >or=7% were considered to have inadequate glycemic control.


RESULTS
Overall 4075 patients were surveyed, 349(8.6%) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and 3726(91.4%) with type 2 diabetes(T2D). Subjects' mean age was 58 years, and 65% were female. The prevalence of inadequate glycemic control was 76%. Poor glycemic control was more common in T1D patients (87%) than in those with T2D(75%), p<10(-4). Satisfaction with current diabetes treatment was associated with improved glycemic control among non-insulin-treated patients with T2D, but gender, multi-professional care, and participation in a diabetes education program were not.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite clinical evidence supporting tight control of diabetes, few diabetic patients in Venezuela met recommended glycemic control targets. This may contribute to increased rates of diabetic complications. Our findings support the public health message of implementation of early, aggressive management of diabetes.
Moreira
Edson Duarte
ED
Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Rua Waldemar Falcão 121, Salvador, Bahia, 40296, Brazil. edson@bahia.fiocruz.br <edson@bahia.fiocruz.br>
Neves
Raimundo Celestino Silva
RC
Nunes
Záira Onofre
ZO
de Almeida
Maria Conceição Chagas
MC
Mendes
Ana Beatriz Valverde
AB
Fittipaldi
João Antônio Saraiva
JA
Ablan
Franklin
F
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012648:Self Care; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014687:Venezuela
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin