Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a common disorder worldwide that produces significant morbi-mortality that could be reduced with proper glycemic control.
Objective: Estimate the prevalence of glycemic control in type-2 diabetic patients and explore its association with personal, clinical and familial factors.
Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 150 type-2 diabetic patients from a chronic diseases program at the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio in Bogota. Clinical and family (type and lifecycle) information was obtained. Adherence to treatment and family function (family-APGAR) were assessed. The prevalence of glycemic control (HbA1C <7%) was estimated and its association with determinant factors was calculated using crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR's).
Results: The prevalence of glycemic control was 49% (HbA1C <7%) and 63% when we included a different goal for patients over 71 years or with a disease lasting longer than 11 years (HbA1c 7-7.9%). Age, family function, type and adherence to treatment showed significant differences between controlled and uncontrolled patients (p < 0.04). Only family function (OR 1.3 and 7.0 for mild dysfunction and moderate/severe dysfunction respectively) and type of treatment (OR 7.2 for oral therapy and 17.8 for any therapy including insulin) showed an association with glycemic control.
Conclusions: Family function and treatment type are relevant factors for glycemic control. A comprehensive approach for diabetes mellitus type-2 is essential to plan effective preventive and therapeutic interventions.