HbA1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol control in adults with diabetes: A report card for Kuwait

AIM: To assess the level of glycemic, blood pressure, and cholesterol control (the ‘ABCs’) nationally amongst adults with diabetes living in Kuwait. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using data from two national cross‐sectional surveys, the levels of risk factor control were assessed in 1,801 adults with diabetes, aged 18–82 years. Glycemic control was defined as HbA1c < 7%, blood pressure control as systolic and diastolic blood pressures of <140/90 mmHg, and non‐HDL cholesterol control as <3.4 mmol/L. RESULTS: The percentage of adults with diabetes achieving control was 39.2% (95% CI, 37.0–41.5) for glycemia, 58.4% (95% CI, 56.0–60.7) for blood pressure, and 28.3% (95% CI, 26.3–30.4) for non‐HDL cholesterol. The percentage of adults who were non‐smokers was 77.6% (95%, CI 75.6–79.4). The percentage of adults with diabetes achieving control on all three risk factors was 7.4% (95% CI, 6.3–8.8), and only 5.8% (95% CI, 4.8–7.0) achieved ABC control and were nonsmokers. ABC control was 30% higher in women compared with men. Non‐Kuwaitis were almost twice as likely to have uncontrolled ABC factors compared with Kuwaitis. CONCLUSIONS: Only 1 in 13 people with diabetes in Kuwait achieved good control of glycemia, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Only 2 in 5 achieved glycemic control, 6 in 10 blood pressure control, and 2 in 7 cholesterol control. A national diabetes quality improvement program is urgently needed to improve the quality of care and to prevent long‐term complications.