Glycaemic control among rural health consumers : a retrospective study of a diabetes center

Aim: The aim of this paper is to highlight the successes of and challenges faced by a publically funded diabetes center in a regional area. Methods: Demographic and laboratory cross sectional data were collected from electronic patient records. Data from a patient’s very first test undertaken when attending the hospital and the latest test undertaken at the dabetes center were noted and included age, sex, residential postcode and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Results: A third of patients reached the therapeutic guideline of ‘very good control’ for HbA1c levels. Females had lower Hb1Ac levels, while males and those that lived further away from the diabetes center had higher levels of HbA1c. However, a significant improvement in glycaemic control among men and those who lived ‘out of town’ was noted, while the corresponding pattern for women was not evident. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that there was an overall improvement in diabetes control among health consumers who attend the regional diabetes center, however, female patients residing in town showed a negligible change over time. At risk’ patient groups may need further targeting for intensive intervention to achieve optimal diabetes control, even within the diabetes center