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. 2021 Mar 19;13(3):e13995.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.13995.

Knowledge of Hemoglobin A1c and Glycemic Control in an Urban Population

Raafia Memon  1   2 , David Levitt  1 , Silvia R Salgado Nunez Del Prado  1   3 , Kashif Munir  1 , Elizabeth Lamos  1
Affiliations

Knowledge of Hemoglobin A1c and Glycemic Control in an Urban Population

Raafia Memon et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Aim: Our study aims to assess the knowledge of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) at an urban academic institution.

Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study that included a survey of 100 adult patients with DM. Our patient cohort was divided into those with recent HbA1c < 8.0% and those with HbA1c ≥ 8.0% for subgroup analysis.

Results: The majority (71%) of patients correctly defined HbA1c and half were aware of their HbA1c target, but they were unable to correlate the correct average blood glucose for an HbA1c level of 7%. Worse control, defined as an HbA1c level of ≥ 8%, was associated with co-morbid disease, but was not associated with understanding HbA1c definition, target or socioeconomic disparities. Perceived glycemic control was congruent with the actual control in 46% of our patients. Ninety percent of those with HbA1c ≥ 8% perceived their control to be better than it actually was, and 97% of those with HbA1c < 8% perceived their control worse than it actually was (P < 0.00001).

Conclusion: Although most patients knew the definition of HbA1c, they were unable to correlate HbA1c with average blood sugar. There remain opportunities to increase education for this vulnerable population with co-morbid disease on the use of the HbA1c disease marker as an education tool.

Keywords: diabetes; glycemic control; hba1c; hemoglobin a1c; patient perception.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Patient survey
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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