Effect of age, gender and season on blood glucose control in diabetic outpatients

Abstract

Objective To assess the effects of gender, age and seasonal variation on glycemic control in outpatient diabetics. Methods The glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) records of 17 857 cases from outpatients in the China-Japan Friendship Hospital enrolled from 2004 to 2011 was analyzed retrospectively, and the blood control status were compared among age groups, genders and seasons. Linear-contrast one-way analysis of variance and Cochran-Armitage analysis were applied to explore annual trend of glycemic control. Results The mean age of the subjects was (58±13)yrs, the male-female ratio was 1.16∶1; the mean HbA1c level was 7.1%±1.6%, and the HbA1c level in 3465 cases(43.3%) was 60 yrs increased significantly from 2004 to 2011(Z=18.67, 5.58, all P 0.05). The standard-reaching rate of blood glucose in April to September was much lower than those in the other months in 2007. Conclusions Glycemic control is improved in the diabetic outpatients through the 8 years, and the blood glucose is controlled better in female patients aged over 40 years. There are seasonal differences in blood glucose control, more attention should be paid to the glycemic control in male patients below 40 years of age, and the therapeutic regimen could be adjusted with the seasons if needed. Key words: Diabetes mellitus; Hemoglobin A, glycosylated; Blood glucose