Factors associated with good glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to determine the status of glycemic control and identify factors associated with good glycemic control among diabetic patients treated at primary health clinics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic random sample of 557 patients was selected from seven clinics in the Hulu Langat District. Data were collected from patients' medication records, glycemic control tests and structured questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to predict factors associated with good glycemic control.

RESULTS: Variables associated with good glycemic control included age (odds ratio 1.033; 95% confidence interval 1.008-1.059) and duration of diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 0.948; 95% confidence interval 0.909-0.989). Compared with the patients who were receiving a combination of insulin and oral antidiabetics, those receiving monotherapy (odds ratio 4.797; 95% confidence interval 1.992-11.552) and a combination of oral antidiabetics (odds ratio 2.334; 95% confidence interval 1.018-5.353) were more likely to have good glycemic control. In the present study, the proportion of patients with good glycemic control was lower than that in other published studies. Older patients with a shorter duration of diabetes who were receiving monotherapy showed better glycemic control.

CONCLUSIONS: Although self-management behavior did not appear to influence glycemic control, diabetic patients should be consistently advised to restrict sugar intake, exercise, stop smoking and adhere to medication instructions. Greater effort by healthcare providers in the primary health clinics is warranted to help a greater number of patients achieve good glycemic control.