Retrospective Analysis of Factors Impairing Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetics on Intensive Insulin Therapy with HbA1c Levels of 10% or Above (Single-Center Experience)

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of factors related to lifestyle, treatment compliance, and eating habits on blood glucose regulation in patients diagnosed with Type 2 DM (Diabetes Mellitus) with HbA1c 10% and above who are receiving intensive insulin therapy.
Methods: The study sample consisted of 100 diabetic patients with inadequate glycemic control who applied to our clinic between January 2015 and December 2016. A questionnaire developed by the researchers was used in the study. The patients' sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, eating habits, compliance with insulin treatment, physical activity, and dental health data were documented.
Results: Of the patients included in our study, 75% were female and 25% were male, the average age was 60, the average HbA1c was 12.3%, and the average Body Mass Index was 31.7 kg/m2. While 88% of our patients stated that they had three main meals a day, 12% stated that they skipped at least one main meal, and 64% had irregular eating habits. Forty percent of our patients skipped insulin doses at least 1-2 times a week, and there was a statistically significant relationship between the frequency of insulin dose skipping and HbA1c subgroups (p=0.014). Sixty-seven percent of our patients did not exercise daily.
Conclusion: Although education level, eating habits, exercise, and dental health are among the variables affecting glycemic control in diabetic patients, the most critical factor affecting glycemic control in our study group was a lack of compliance with insulin injection.