Glycemic outcomes of people with diabetes mellitus in Brazilian primary health care

Abstract

Background The capillary blood glucose monitoring program at home a challenge in primary health care. Therefore, it is fundamental to identify the glycemic control of people with diabetes mellitus through HBA1c and to analyze its associated factors. Objective To identify the glycemic profile of people with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) through HbA1c and analyze factors associated. Materials & methods Cross-sectional study developed in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Secondary data from the electronic health record of people registered in the Primary Health Care system were used. A sample of 3181 participants was obtained. People with HbA1c < 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) were considered to have adequate glycemic control. For people aged ≥ 55 years, a less stringent target, < 8.0% (64 mmol/mol), was also considered. The odds ratio was the measure of effect analyzed with their respective 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). Results Adequate glycemic control with HbA1c < 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) was found in 44.8% of people and, when using the less rigid target, HbA1c < 8.0% (64 mmol/mol) for people aged ≥ 55 years-old, 70.6% had adequate glycemic control. Age and drug therapy were associated with adequate glycemic control (p < 0.001), which was more frequent among older people and those who used only metformin. Conclusion The study shows that the achievement of adequate glycemic control is still a challenge, especially with regard to younger people and those who use insulin.