A1c Results Directly Related
to Education
New study results show a direct relationship
between the diabetes knowledge of the patient
and their A1c results.
Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. Most
of the morbidity, mortality, and cost of type
2 diabetes is related to cardiovascular complications.
These complications can be decreased by improving
glycemic control. However, one problem in diabetes
care is the poor translation of knowledge derived
from research to clinical practice. A lack of
patients understanding the long-term ramifications
of poor glycemic control may play a role in this.
To further test this hypothesis, we performed
the following study to determine whether patient
diabetes knowledge was related to glycemic control.
Diabetes knowledge was measured using the Michigan
Diabetes Knowledge Test (J.T. Fitzgerald, University
of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI). Only questions pertaining
to type 2 diabetes were used. HbA1c values were
determined. Data were analyzed using SAS software
version 6.1 (SAS, Cary, NC). Logistic regression
analysis was done using Pearson’s correlation
coefficient.
Seventy-seven subjects completed the study. The
average number of questions answered correctly
was 8.5 ± 2.3. The mean HbA1c value was
8.05 ± 1.6%. Regression analysis demonstrated
an inverse correlation between the number of correct
responses and HbA1c values. For each increase
in the number of questions answered correctly,
HbA1c decreased by 0.239 (r = -0.337, P < 0.003).
These results suggest that improved diabetes knowledge
improves glycemic control. Other studies have
shown that patient educational interventions lower
HbA1c values. Patient education should be part
of the diabetes treatment plan as this provides
another modality for reaching glycemic targets.
Patient empowerment is a strong tool that can
be attained through knowledge of disease processes.
In conclusion, we have shown that improved diabetes
knowledge is associated with better glycemic control.
Empowering diabetic patients with knowledge of
their disease may help combat this financially
draining epidemic. Diabetes Care 26:2220-2221,
2003
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