The Effect of Glycated Hemoglobin on the Prognosis of Diabetic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Abstract

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevation of blood glucose and a high percentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c. Elevated hemoglobin A1c percentage of more than 7% will result in high production of advanced glycation end-products. Th e elevated level of advanced glycation end-products in diabetic patients means a high risk for diabetic complications. Th e primary endpoint was to evaluate the hemoglobin A1c levels among diabetic patients and its effect on the prognosis of this metabolic disease in all regions inside Saudi Arabia. Methods: Th is was a cross-sectional observational study conducted between March and August 2018. Th e study was done by using a questionnaire containing nine questions which planned to involve at least 390 diabetic patients. Results: Six hundred and ninety-four diabetic patients from Saudi Arabia had answered the nine-question questionnaire about hemoglobin A1c percentage and prognosis of diabetes. Th e mean age of these patients is 43.4 years old and most of those patients (75.5%) were visiting governmental hospitals. Th e number of diabetic patients having hemoglobin A1c less than 7% are 259 patients with hemoglobin A1c mean 6.66% + 3.33%, however, there are 435 patients having hemoglobin A1c more than 7% with mean equals 7.75% + 1.2%, the difference between them is statistically significant (P value < 0.0001). Conclusion: Th e glycated hemoglobin of diabetic patients in all regions of Saudi Arabia was significantly elevated and uncontrolled based on most diabetic guidelines and significantly affects the prognosis by causing diabetic complications especially cardiovascular diseases.