OBJECTIVES

Little research data exists on the prevalence of poor glycemic control and the associated risk factors among diabetic patients in rural area in Saudi Arabia. Thus, we endeavored to assess the prevalence of poor glycemic control and risk factors associated with it among patients with diabetes in central rural region of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was used in patients with diabetes in King Khaled Hospital in Al-Kharj, Riyadh from the beginning of January 2019 to the end of June 2019. The patients’ medical record consists of data of a patient’s prior follow-up visits, including their hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measurements, as well as the accurate list of a patient’s medicines and other comorbidities. Poor glycemic control was defined as current use of diabetic-lowering medication associated with a HbA1c levels ≥7%. Multivariate analysis was done to identify the associated factors of poor glycemic control.

RESULTS

Of 1,010 consecutive outpatients’ patients with diabetes were involved in the study, poor glycemic control presented in 496 (49.1%). Individuals who were at risk to have poor glycemic control those between 45 and 65 years with odds ratio (OR) of 1.927 (95% CI: 1.143–3.248), obese 1.496 (95% CI: 1.085–2.063) and diagnosed with asthma 2.062 (95% CI: 1.637–3.504).

CONCLUSIONS

The extent of poor glycemic control in the study population was found high. Age, obesity, and having asthma are the most important factors of increased risk of poor glycemic control. Improving glycemic control would need rigorous efforts by addressing these factors.