Predictors of Poor Glycaemic Control Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Poor glycaemic control is a serious public health problem among adults with diabetes as it is associated with long-term complications, decreased quality of life and excess health-care utilisation. The aim of this study was to identify and estimate the prevalence of poor glycaemic control and its demographic and clinical predictors in adult patients with diabetes by using secondary cross-sectional data. In total, 500 adult participants who had diabetes were analysed. Patients were classified as having poor glycaemic control if their glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels ≥7%. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, hypertension, heart disease and blood glucose level were assessed by descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent t-tests and binary logistic regression. Of the study participants, 191 (38.2%) were poorly controlled and 309 (61.8%) were adequately controlled. Poor glycaemic control was more frequent in individuals with hypertension, heart disease and current smoking status, with minimal differences between gender. Results suggest that the clinical comorbidities and the behavioural aspects must be taken into account when treating diabetes because they also influence the glycaemic control. The study emphasises the value of periodic HbA1c testing, early screening of high-risk groups, lifestyle modification, smoking cessation and good management of cardiovascular comorbidities for better glycaemic management outcomes. Despite its cross-sectional design and reliance on secondary data, the study's results offer a valuable body of evidence for supporting targeted clinical interventions and public health strategies for improving diabetes care and decreasing diabetes-related complications.