Factors associated with glycaemic control in adults with Type 1 diabetes: a registry-based analysis including 7601 individuals from 34 centres in Norway.

AIMS

To use data from the Norwegian Diabetes Registry for Adults and Statistics Norway to assess factors associated with glycaemic control in type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

The analyses included all individuals aged ≥18 years who had a type 1 diabetes duration of >2 years and a recorded value in the registry between 2013 and 2015 (n=7601). Predicted mean HbA levels for subgroups of participants were assessed using linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Young age (18-25 years), low education levels, smoking, living alone, exercising infrequently, monitoring glucose infrequently, high insulin requirements, low frequency of symptomatic hypoglycaemia, history of ketoacidosis and a BMI <18.5 kg/m were associated with a 2-12-mmol/mol (0.2-1.1%) higher HbA level. Those with 10-15 years of diabetes duration had 5-mmol/mol (0.5%) higher HbA level than those who had a diabetes duration of 2-5 years. Sex, participation (ever) in a diabetes education course, or ever experiencing serious hypoglycaemia were not associated with glycaemic control.

CONCLUSIONS

We present representative national data on factors that were associated with glycaemic control. A better understanding and awareness of these factors, together with technological advances in diabetes management, could lead to more personalized management strategies, better glycaemic control and a lower risk of diabetes complications.