PHS10 HbA1c Testing Frequency in Primary Care Diabetes Patients in Germany and in the UK

Abstract

The HbA1c test is a lab test, which reveals average blood glucose over a period of two to three months. Tight blood glucose control could reduce the risk of diabetes related complications. Expert opinion recommends 6-monthly HbA1c testing in stable and 3-monthly testing in type 1 and unstable type 2 diabetes patients. Moreover, HbA1c should be measured more frequently for patinets whose therapy is changing. The aim of this study was to measure the quality of diabetic care as indicated by HbA1c testing frequency and to compare the frequency of HbA1c testing in primary care diabetes patients in Germany (DE) and UK. Computerized data on lab values (IMS Disease Analyzer Multi-Country Solution, 01/2011-12/2011) from general medicine practices throughout DE and UK have been analysed and compared. This data warehouse includes the complete diagnosis and therapy relevant information on diabetes patients in several countries. 159,031 T2D patients and 1,910 T1D patients from 1,001 GP practices in Germany and 34,375 T2D patients and 1.506 T1D patients from 104 GP practices in UK were included. 53.1% of T2D patients and 42.0% of T1D patients in Germany, 87.0% of T2D patients and 69.1% of T1D patients in UK had at least one HbA1c testing in the observation time. In Germany there were 1.5 HbA1c tests per year in T2D patients and 1.1 tests per year in T1D patients. In UK T2D patients have in average 3.1, T1D patients 2.0 HbA1c tests in 2011. The study revealed that HbA1c testing was underused in both T1D and T2D patients. Improvement is needed in the utilization of HbA1c testing among most diabetes patients in Germany and UK. HbA1c tests should be obtained routinely in all persons with diabetes, for the blood glucose control documentation and as part of continuing care.