Richard on his diabetes podcast mentioned that for every percent increase in hba1c there was a 22% increase in a diabetic complication and a 37% increase in a cardiac event. Where can I reference this information? I would like to be able to back it up if I am challenged on it. Thanks for any information.
Hba1c percentage increase equals increased risk
jmbundy
(John)
#2
It was mentioned in episode 59, but I don’t see it in the articles typically linked. Doing a search of the numbers there in Google I get:
United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS). The UKPDS studied over 4500 people with Type 2 diabetes, assigning them to receive either a diet-based treatment regimen or a more intensive regimen utilizing a sulfonylurea (a class of diabetes pills that stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin), metformin, or insulin. Those people treated with diet achieved average HbA1c levels of 7.9%, while those on the more intensive regimen attained an average HbA1c of 7.0%. The study found that there was a direct relationship between HbA1c levels and risks for some diabetes complications; people with lower blood glucose levels had lower risks of microvascular (small blood vessel) complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy.
For every percentage point decrease in HbA1c (say, from 11% to 10%), there was a corresponding 37% decrease in microvascular complications and a 21% decrease in deaths related to diabetes.
Mark_Thompson
(Mark Thompson)
#3
Great thanks for finding that for me.
My father is on metformin he is at a 7.5% hba1c, does this still mean he is at an increased risk even thou he is on metformin? My guess is that metformin only treats the symptom not the problem. He is starting to lose his vision, which I’m sure it’s from the diabetes.
jmbundy
(John)
#4
My understanding is that is the increase no matter the treatment, untreated would be much higher I assume.
Craig
(Craig)
#5
If possible, go along with him to his eye-test, if he lets you.
Chance of developing retinopathy mainly related to level of BG control and length of time diabetic, along with and co-factors eg blood pressure.
Being diabetic also increases risk of developing other eye conditions eg. cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration, so needs checking for these as well.