Methods: This study was part of an ongoing study of 62 adults with diabetes taking medications at risk for metabolic syndrome. Glycated hemoglobin (A1C, mg/dL) was measured using a Hitachi 747 automatic analyzer. Important, confidence, and worry of achieving the goal were assessed using each scale of 0 (Not at all) to 10 (Very) of Diabetes Attitudes Wishes and Needs. Independent t-test, Analysis of variance test with post hoc comparisons and Chi-square test were used to examine the differences between groups.
Results: Mean age was about 54.8 years old and 41.9% of participants were women. The average score of participants targeted and achieved A1C were 6.96 % and 7.55 %, respectively. Participants in actual glycemic control (A1C < 7%) was only 21% (n=13), whereas 79% (n=49) did not achieve optimal level of A1C. Regarding correspondence to self-targeted and real-achieved AIC levels, 46.8% (n=29) was agreed two levels, however, 53.2% (n=33) was not. There was a significant difference in proportions between two groups by correspondence to A1C and achievement of glycemic control (p < .001). Participants in optimal glycemic control significantly had higher scores of importance and confidence than other group (9.27 vs. 8.30, p =.038; 8.07 vs. 6.72, p = .010, respectively). However, worry score was the highest in correspondence group without achieving optimal A1C among groups.
Conclusion: This study concludes that adults with diabetes at risk for metabolic syndrome have a high level of A1C and less likely to achieve glycemic control. High scores of importance and confidence for achieving glycemic control are associated with optimal glycemic control. To achieve actual goals, health care provides should understand the spectrum of psychological factors such importance and confidence of glycemic control affecting this population. Future studies designed to consider both psychological factors and achieving glycemic control may be more effective than those that target achieving A1C alone to solve unmet needs and prevent diabetic complications such cardiovascular risks in population with diabetes at risk for metabolic syndrome.
*This research was support by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (grant number: 2016R1D1A1A09917287).