Gender: does it have role has a role in glycaemic control in Caucasians with well-controlled type 2 diabetes?

ABSTRACT

Type 2 diabetes is costly to manage and thus it is important to know if management of blood glucose and HbA[1C] are meeting clinical targets in both men and women. There is conflicting published data on the gender equality of blood glucose and HbA[1C] management in type 2 diabetics. The purpose of this work was to review the literature on gender equality in blood glucose management and to test the hypothesis that management of blood glucose and HbA[1C] would meet clinical targets in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, irrespective of gender in well controlled Caucasian type 2 diabetic patients. Fasting serum insulin and insulin sensitivity levels were determined in order to assist in the explanation of the glucose and HbA[1C] results in people with diabetes. Patients were asked to give a fasting blood sample on each of two occasions three months apart. There were no differences between males and females in each of fasting serum glucose [FSG] and HbA[1C] levels as well as fasting serum insulin concentrations and in insulin sensitivity at visit 1 or 2. However, each of FSG and HbA[1C] levels were slightly higher than clinical targets. Modestly elevated serum insulin and lower insulin sensitivity were consistent with the FSG and HbA[1C] levels. This contrasts with some of the existing literature pointing out the need for a much larger study to be done in Cape Breton. It is concluded that blood glucose management among people with well controlled type 2 diabetes in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia may be close to clinical targets irrespective of gender. A further lowering of HbA[1C] and FSG may be in order. However, this was only a very small study and a much larger one would answer whether there is gender equality in FSG and HbA[1C] among persons with well controlled type 2 diabetes on Cape Breton Island