Key Factors of Blood Glucose Control for Korean People with Diabetes

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the differences between good and poor glucose control groups, and as a result, to identify the factors affecting glycemic control. Methods/Statistical Analysis: This was a descriptive survey study wherein the subjects were adults with diabetes. Based on blood test results from 267 subjects, the participants were divided into two groups: good and poor glucose control. To measure the factors affecting glucose control, the demographics, clinical factors, and health-related behaviors were surveyed using a questionnaire. Real number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical logistic regression were used to obtain glucose control characteristics. Findings: The American Diabetes Association has recommended that Hemoglobin A1c levels be below 7.5% in healthy adults with a long life expectancy. We used this recommended level as the criterion for our study. In the logistic regression analysis, when all variables were controlled for, the following factors were identified as significantly affecting glucose control: depression, experience of having hypoglycemia, and diabetic diet. The odds ratios were 3.58, 2.28 and 2.11, respectively. This study found that diabetic education, smoking, and alcohol consumption did not significantly affect glucose control. Improvement/Applications: Physicians and nurses should promote effective glucose control in patients with diabetes through individualized intervention methods; in this way, the patients' glucose control is maintained at an adequate level.