Study Shows Poor Glucose Control

A new study found that 2/3 of patients with type 2 diabetes donot have the disease under control. Because they are not properlymanaging their blood sugar levels, patients are putting themselvesat high risk for serious complications. The study analyzedA_1C test scores—a measure of blood glucose control. Using alaboratory database of 157,000 individuals in 39 states during2003 and 2004, the researchers found that 67% of the participantstested higher than the target set by endocrinologists. Theprofessionals defined glucose control as an A_1C level below 6.5.A survey, however, showed that 84% of patients with type 2 diabetesbelieved that they were properly controlling their bloodsugar, even though 61% said that they were unfamiliar with theA_1C test. (The findings were presented at a recent meeting of theAmerican Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.)