Diabetes Knowledge and Its RelationshipWith Achieving Treatment Recommendations in a National Sample of PeopleWith Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVEdWe examined the prevalence of knowledge of A1C, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol (ABC) levels and goals among people with diabetes, its variation by patient character-istics, andwhether knowledgewas associatedwith achieving levels of ABC control recommended for the general diabetic population. RESEARCH DESIGN ANDMETHODSdData came from 1,233 adults who self-reported diabetes in the 2005–2008National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants reported their last ABC level and goals specified by their physician (not validated by medical record data). Analysis included descriptive statistics and logistic regression. RESULTSdAmong participants tested in the past year, 48 % stated their last A1C level. Overall, 63 % stated their last blood pressure level and 22 % stated their last LDL cholesterol level. Knowl-edge of ABC levels was greatest in non-Hispanic whites, lowest inMexican Americans, and higher with more education and income (all P # 0.02). Demographic associations were similar for those reporting physician-specified ABC goals at the American Diabetes Association–recommended levels (A1C,7%, blood pressure,130/80 mmHg, and LDL cholesterol,100 mg/dL). Nine-teen percent of participants stated that their provider did not specify an A1C goal compared wit