Diabetes is a global health problem reaching pandemic proportions that disables and kills people, striking them at their most productive age [1,2]. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimated that 424.9 million people or 8.8% of people 20 – 79 years are suffering from diabetes globally in 2017 and predicted to rise to 628.6 million in 2045 if the trends continue. Diabetes affects 1 in 11 people where 1 in 2 adults is undiagnosed; and 12% of global health expenditure (USD 727 billion) which corresponds to one for every eight dollars spent on health care [1]. It is the second leading cause of years of life lost to premature deaths and fourth leading cause of years lived with disability [3].
T2DM which constitute about 90% of all diabetes is defined as a chronic medical condition that occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin in adults. A diagnosis of T2DM is made when a fasting blood sugar (FBS) level is > 7.0 mmol/L or HbA1c of > 6.5% [4-7]. The centre of diabetes management is to maintain good glycemic control (HbA1c <7%) in order to prevent or delay onset of complications [6,7]. The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) has shown that each 1% reduction in mean HbA1c in T2DM patients was associated with reductions in risk of diabetes related deaths by 21%, stroke by 12%, myocardial infarction by 14%, heart failure by 16%, microvascular end point by 37% and amputation from peripheral vascular disease by 40% [8].
The small island states of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) have high prevalence rates of diabetes, where over 70% of T2DM patients have poor glycemic control [9]. This has been attributed to high rates of obesity and changes in lifestyle factors due rapid industrialization and urbanization in the region [9-11].
In Fiji, diabetes has a prevalence rate of 15.6% in 2011which is estimated to rise to 19.3% in 2020 due to rising obesity trends [12,13]. Diabetes is also the number one cause of disease specific mortality, most premature death and health problem causing the most disability in 2005 to 2016 [14]. In 2015, it caused 19.7% of all deaths with a mortality rate of 151.8 per 1,000 population and hospital admission rate of 134.5 per 1,000 admissions due to complications [15].
Many research studies, both quantitative and qualitative, have been conducted to determine the various factors associated with glycemic control among T2DM patients. These factors have been classified into patient-related factors, factors related to the health care team and health system factors. Among the patient-related factors associated with glycaemic control include socio-demographic characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity and educational background; clinical characteristics; associated medical condition; treatment and treatment adherence; self-management practices and diabetes clinic attendance [16,17]. Research studies show that patient clinical characteristics are highly associated with glycaemic control. These include duration of diabetes, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, random blood sugar (RBS), fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol, triglyceride, renal functions as measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the presence of associated medical conditions or co-morbidities [18-24].
There have been no current published and peer reviewed studies conducted in Fiji to determine the clinical determinants of T2DM and their association with glycaemic control. Hence, the aim of this retrospective study was to determine the proportion of poor glycaemic control level among adult T2DM adult patients attending clinics at the three selected Suva health centres in 2011 - 2016, the clinical characteristics and determinants that are associated with it.
The findings of this study will be beneficial to the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical services by providing information on the current proportion of poor glycaemic control among T2DM patients that will assist in planning and prioritizing its resources to ensure that those patients with poor glycaemic control are identified and appropriate services provided.