Sub-optimal postpr and ial blood glucose level in diabetics attending the outpatient clinic of a University Hospital

ABSTRACT

To determine the frequency of diabetic patients who attained the optimal postpr and ial blood glucose level. Cross-sectional study of type-2 diabetic patients being followed at the medical outpatient clinic of King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from January 1999 to December 2001. Patients were classified according to postpr and ial blood glucose level into 3-categories; group-1 [<9mmol/l], group-2 [9.1-10 mmol/1], group-3 [>10 mmol/1]. Other data such as age, sex, duration of diabetes, presence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, obesity, ischemic heart disease was recorded as well as mortality. Results; A total of 443 patients were studied with mean age of 55 years and equal male to female ratio. The mean 2-hour Postpr and ial blood glucose level was 14 mmol/1. The majority of patients were in group-3 [71%], while group-1 was 22% and group-2 was 7%. Patients with high 2-hour postpr and ial blood glucose [group-3] have a higher prevalence of hypertension [120/315 [38%] versus 31/97 [32%] p=0.01], hyperlipidemia [72/315 [23%] versus 13/97 [13%] p=0.02], obesity [79/315 [25%] versus 18/97 [19%] p=0.04], ischemic heart disease [72/315 [23%] versus 16/97 [17%] p=0.04] and mortality [35/315 [11%] versus 8/97 [8%] p=0.06] compared to those with controlled level [group-1]. A low frequency of diabetics attained the optimal 2-hour postpr and ial blood glucose level. Action should be taken on this crucial issue for the optimal management of diabetes