Factors associated with Glycemic control among Syrian patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Glycemic control is the main therapeutic objective in diabetes management. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with poor glycemic control among Syrian patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Latakia city. A random sample of 214 patients was selected from T2DM patients seen in the national center for diabetes in latakia over a period of 10 months in 2018/2019. Each patient was interviewed according to a validated questionnaire. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured for all patients using fast ion-exchange resin separation method. The SPSS 26.0 program was used for the statistical analysis. Probability (P) value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Uncontrolled HbA1c (>7%) was seen in 70.6% of T2DM patients. There was no relationship of glycemic control, neither as HbA1c value, nor as percentage of patients with uncontrolled HbA1c, with age, gender, family history, education, duration of diabetes, diet or physical activity. Smokers and divorced patients, were more likely to have poor glycemic control. Elevated total cholesterol was significantly correlated with poorer glycemic control. Moreover, high levels of HbA1c were associated with the presence of diabetes complications and insulin therapy. Our findings suggests that poor glycemic control is common in T2DM Syrian patients in Latakia. Diabetic patients should routinely perform HbA1c and lipid profile analysis. There is a great need to educate patients about strategies to help them manage their diabetes and live a healthier life.