The effect of age, gender, level of adiposity and diabetes duration on glycated hemoglobin reduction after anti-diabetic therapy in type-2 diabetic patients

Chinwe O. Ewenighi, Uchechukwu Dimkpa, Babatunde I. Adejumo, Joel C. Onyeanusi, Isaac N. Nnatuanya, Uzor Simon, Linus U. M. Onoh, Uchechukwu Ezeugwu

Department of Chemical Pathology/Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Lab Sciences, Elele Campus, Madonna University, Okija, Nigeria.
Department of Community Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
Department of Physiotherapy, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.
Medical Laboratory Science Department, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Medical Laboratory Science Department, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Physiology Department, Nnewi Campus, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Enugu, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/jdm.2012.22039                

Abstract

Background: It is established that glycemic control measures involving diet and oral medication reduce glycated hemoglobin concentration (HbA1c) in type-2 diabetic patients. Aim: We aimed to determine whether HbA1c reduction after diabetic treatment is affected by age, gender, level of adiposity and diabetes duration in type-2 diabetic patients. Methods: One hundred and four type-2 diabetic patients participated in a 20-week diabetic control therapy involving oral medication (metformin) and lifestyle intervention (diet). We compared the HbA1c reduction after treatment between the elderly and non-elderly; males and females; overweight/obese and non-overweight/obese; and long-standing and newly diagnosed patients. Results: After the treatment, participants had mean HbA1c reduction of 1.1 ± 1.31% and weight loss of 2.46 ± 1.79 kg. Forty-six (44.2%) of the patients had acceptable HbA1c level of <6.5%. Significantly greater HbA1c reduction was observed in non-elderly, non-overweight/obese and newly diagnosed patients compared to the elderly, overweight/obese and long-standing diabetic patients (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01 or p < 0.001), respectively. HbA1c reduction did not indicate significant sex differences. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that treatment criteria for type-2 diabetes should account for the age, level of adiposity and diabetes duration of the patient in order to make optimal therapeutic decisions for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in adults.

Keywords

Glycated Hemoglobin; Age; Gender; Adiposity; Metformin; Diet

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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