Assessment of metabolic control among the diabetics seeking care in primary care set-ups in Goa, India

The incidence of diabetic complications depends closely on the degree of metabolic control. The aims of this study are to assess the adherence of primary care physicians to diabetes care guidelines and to assess the degree of metabolic control among the study patients. Medical records of 330 patients, 30 from each of the talukas in Goa, were scrutinized to assess the degree of metabolic control and their laboratory work up. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as an index of glycemic control was poorly utilized. Metabolic control was synonymized with glycemic control that to assessed on the basis of Fasting and Postprandial Blood sugar levels (FB/PPBSL). HbA1c target levels were achieved in 18.8 % of the patients, while 58.7, 72.9, and 91.9 %, respectively, achieved their HDL, LDL, and triglycerides target. The target BP of <130/<85 was not achieved in 105 (77.8 %) despite treatment. Bridging the gap between what is possible and what is actually achieved with the diabetics is of critical significance to prevent diabetes complications.