Factors associated with good glycemic control among tamil patients with type II diabetes mellitus: a case control study

Introduction: Although glycemic control is known to reduce the complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), it is an elusive goal for many patients with DM. The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with good glycemic control of DM among Tamils patients in the Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka.

Methodology: An unmatched case control study was conducted among 339 patients with DM. The case patients (n = 113) were who had fasting blood sugar less than or equal to 110 mg/dl and the controls (n = 226) were who had fasting blood sugar more than 110 mg/dl in at least 3 clinic during last 6 months visits. The validated and pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire was completed by interviewing patients. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to predict the factors associated with good glycemic control.

Results: Duration of DM (OR 0.39, 95% CI = 0.19 – 0.80), regular exercise (OR 5.96, 95% CI = 3.08 – 11.51), fix time for consumption of medication (OR 4.22, 95% CI = 1.59 – 11.24), regular clinic follow-up (OR 4.61, 95% CI = 1.22 – 17.34) and normal body weight (OR 0.15, 95% CI = 0.08 – 0.31) were found to be the factors associated with good glycemic control in the multivariate logistic regression model.

Conclusions: Patients with DM should be consistently advised to adhere the medication instruction for achieving good glycemic control. Further, regular exercise should be emphasized among them to maintain normal body weight as well as to achieve good glycemic control.