A study sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concluded that a majority of people with diabetes at risk of complications are not getting the attention they need. The study was reported at the Diabetes Translation Conference held by the CDC in May 2007 in Atlanta.

The study consisted of a survey of 1,241 people with type 2 diabetes. The survey showed that more than a third of them did not receive annual foot examinations, annual dilated eye exams, pneumonia vaccine, and flu vaccine. Of those who did have a foot exam, only half reported getting a monofilament foot exam used to assess sensory loss from peripheral neuropathy, a serious complication of diabetes that could result in amputation.

About 80% of patients did report having two or more A1c tests during the past year (4 per year is the recommended standard). However, more than half of these did not remember their A1c result. More than 16% reported A1c numbers less than 4% or higher than 14%, indicating that they are confusing the A1c test with another, such as their blood glucose level.

The data was derived from the HealthStyles2004 survey. Although the survey relies on the memories of participants and may not accurately reflect clinical practices, the findings indicate a gap in patients’ knowledge regarding the need for regular preventative screenings. Researchers concluded that there is much that needs to be done to educate patients with diabetes about their standards of care.

Diabetes standards of care were first developed 10 years ago to define state-of-the-art diabetes care. People with diabetes who receive the standards of care control their diabetes better, develop fewer complications, and live healthier lives. The best care for diabetes requires visits to your diabetes care provider 3 to 4 times a year, even if you feel fine. At each visit your provider should do the following:

Check your weight. Check your blood glucose. Check your blood pressure. Check your feet for numbness or tingling. Review your goals for blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Review your diabetes care plan including diet, exercise, medications, and self-monitoring.

Two to four times a year, you should have an A1c test to measure your 3-month blood glucose average. Twice a year you should have a dental exam.

Once a year you should have a dilated eye exam, urine test to check kidneys, blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), an EKG to check the heart, and flu vaccination.

References: Goldfarb, B, People With Diabetes Unaware of Clinical Benchmarks, American Diabetes Association, DOC News, July, 2007. http://cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/cr569d.pdf.

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