Health
Diabetes control improves overall but is not a goal for many patients
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 22, 2006
The average hemoglobin A1c score declined for those with diabetes, but many patients still have not reached the targets set by the American Diabetes Assn., according to a report issued by Quest Diagnostics last month.
The "Quest Diagnostics Health Trends 2006 Diabetes Report" analyzed the results of 14.3 million tests performed between 2001 and 2005. The monthly average A1c declined by 8%. There was also a 26% reduction in the number of tests that did not meet ADA goals. Men were more likely to have worse scores than women. Older patients tended to have better blood sugar control than those who were younger.
The authors suggest that these findings mean that those with diabetes who see a physician or other health care professional regularly may be achieving better glycemic control.
Experts praised the report for helping create a clearer picture of how the country is controlling this disease as a whole.
"These results are a great contribution to our understanding of the state of diabetes care and outcomes in the United States," said ADA past president Francine R. Kaufman, MD.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/05/22/hlbf0522.htm.
