GLYCATED HEMOGLOBIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES IN ONE GENERAL-PRACTICE OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD

The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of control, as reflecte d by HbA(1c), in patients with diabetes attending one general practice over a 10-year period. The study was based in one general practice in South Tyneside, UK and consisted of an analysis of HbA(1c) values of all patients with diabetes attending the practice between 1983 and 199 2. HbA(1c) levels were analysed and are presented as multiples of the standard deviation above the mean. In the practice 256 patients with n on-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and 76 with insulin-dep endent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), attended for a total of 1596 doctor/p atient contacts in the diabetic clinic over 10 years. The prevalence o f diabetes was 1.9 %. Over the course of the clinic, in any one year, 25 % of patients with NIDDM and 55 % with IDDM had levels of HbA(1c) a bove those thought to be associated with increased risk of microvascul ar complications. Significant reduction in glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1 c)) occurred in the first year after diagnosis (p<0.01) and after chan ging treatment from diet alone to diet and oral hypoglycaemic agents ( p<0.001). We conclude that a large proportion of patients within this population had levels of glycaemic control that put them 'at increased risk'.