ASSOCIATION OF GLYCEMIC CONTROL, BODY WEIGHT AND BODY FAT DISTRIBUTION WITH SELECTED SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS IN TYPE 2 DIABETES PATIENTS AT FIRST REGULAR STRUCTURED VISIT

Abstract

Introduction. Maintaining optimal glycemic control and weight management is crucial for successful diabetes management. Deeper understanding of possible influen cing factors is inevitable. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between glycemic control, body weight and body fat distribution with selected socio-demographic factors in type 2 diabetes patients at first regular structured visit. Methods. This is a cross-sectional clinical study perfor med in the period 2016-2017 at a primary health care level in the Republic of North Macedonia. Data on socio demographic parameters (age, gender, place of residence, ethnicity), diabetes duration, anthropometric indices (BMI, waist circumference) and HbA1c measurement were collected from 338 type 2 diabetes patients. Results. With respect to HbA1c value, it was found that older age, urban residence and Macedonian ethnicity we re significantly associated with lower HbA1c (R=-0.1449; p=0.0002 and p=0.0042, respectively), whereas longer diabetes duration was significantly associated with higher HbA1c values (R=0.1448). Higher BMI was found in female subjects (p=0.0213), whereas older age and Albanian ethnicity were significantly associated with lower BMI (R=-0.1734 and p=0.0001, respectively). Female gender and Albanian ethnicity were associated with central obesity as per North American cut-off values (p=0.0001 and p=0.0026, respectively). Lower waist circumference values were found in Macedo nians (p=0.0001). Conclusion. According to the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that certain socio-demo graphic factors can play a role in the management of glycaemia and weight in type 2 diabetes patients in North Macedonia.