DOC News September 1, 2005
Volume 2 Number 9 p. 7
© 2005 American Diabetes Association
Knowing A1C Goal Begets Better Control
Elizabeth Thompson Beckley
Almost 50% of 97 patients with type 2 diabetes did not recognize the term
"A1C" (glycated hemoglobin), and less than 25% knew what their A1C
should be. But those who did know had better control, say researchers who
surveyed patients at Grady Diabetes Clinic, a municipal hospital outpatient
center near Atlanta.
The research was presented June 13 in San Diego at the 65th Scientific
Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
At an initial visit, all participants took part in a full-day diabetes
education program that included instruction about the importance of glycemic
control and the ADA goal for A1C of <7%. Providers re-emphasized the goal
at follow-up visits over 5 years. With an average of 3.7 visits per year, this
offered 19 opportunities per patient for reinforcing education.
After 5 years, patients who knew the correct goal had lower A1C levels
(6.9%) than those who recognized the term (7.7%) and those who did not
recognize it (8.4%). Higher medication adherence was associated with
significantly lower A1C after 1 year.
"This lack of recognition and knowledge occurs despite a
comprehensive education program," says Mary K. Rhee of Emory University,
who presented the findings. "We need to identify which elements of
patient education are particularly important to A1C control. We should include
strategies to assure understanding of the A1C term and goal."
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