Glycaemic control across the lifespan in a cohort of New Zealand patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND

It is well known that tight glycaemic control reduces all-cause mortality and the development of microvascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), but that effective glycaemic control is difficult to achieve in different age groups. Currently, the state of glycaemic control across the lifespan in patients with T1D in New Zealand is not known.

AIM

To determine the differences in glycaemic control with age, gender, rurality and ethnicity in patients with T1D in the Waikato region of New Zealand.

METHODS

Retrospective review of clinical records of all patients with T1D on the Waikato Regional Diabetes Database in December 2017 (n = 1303). Glycaemic control was determined by the most recent HbA1c in the past 2 years.

RESULTS

Median (25%, 75%) HbA1c was 67 (59, 81) mmol/mol (8.3%) and highest in those aged 15-29 years. Values exceeded clinical recommendations in 85.3% of all patients. Median HbA1c was lower in patients on insulin pump therapy than on multiple daily injections (63 (7.9%) versus 69 mmol/mol (8.5%); P < 0.001), though insulin pumps were significantly less likely to be used by Māori (P = 0.003) and men (P < 0.0001). Worsening glycaemic control was associated with increasing social deprivation (P < 0.001) but was not influenced by rural/urban living.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor glycaemic control in Waikato patients with T1D is likely due to inequities in health care, including reduced access to insulin pump therapy, particularly in Māori and socially deprived populations.