Abstract

PURPOSE
The purposes of this secondary data analysis study were first to identify the number of Korean adults achieving goals set by the American Diabetes Association for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and secondly to identify the characteristics associated with lack of goals attainment.
METHODS
The sample was 413 Koreans with diagnosed diabetes aged thirty years or older who participated in the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Goals attainment for HbA1c, BP, and LDL-C were presented in percentages. Logistic regressions were used to examine associations between participants' characteristics and lack of goals attainment.
RESULTS
About 48% had HbA1c<7%, 48.2% had BP<130/80mmHg, and 34.1% had LDL-C<100mg/dL. Only 8.7% of the sample achieved all three parameters. In multivariate analysis, younger age, longer diabetes duration, insulin use, and abdominal obesity were associated with not meeting HbA1c goal. Smoking and use of antihypertensive medication were associated with BP> or =130/80mmHg. No use of lipid lowering agents was associated with LDL-C> or =100 mg/dL.
CONCLUSION
Many Koreans with diabetes were not at goals for HbA1c, BP, and LDL-C. For optimal control, appropriateness of therapy and poor lifestyle habits should be assessed periodically and managed accordingly.