The Diabcare-Asia 1998 study--outcomes on control and complications in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to describe the glycaemic and metabolic control and diabetes-related complications in type 1 and type 2 Asian patients. Methods: Data of diabetes patients from 230 diabetes centres in 12 Asian regions were collected on a retrospective-prospective basis through review of medical records, interview and laboratory assessments. Analysis of glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) was carried out in central laboratories appointed by Bio-Rad, The data collection case record forms were scanned electronically. Results: 22177 patients with valid data made up the analysis population. Among patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, there was a higher proportion of women than men (53% vs. 47% for type 1 patients and 56% vs. 44% for type 2 diabetes). Hypertension (61%) and overweight (40% with BMI greater than or equal to 25 kg/m(2)) were common in type 2 patients. Dyslipidaemia was also present in at least half of both types of patients. Control of glycaemia (mean HbA(1c) and fasting blood glucose [FBG]) was poor in type 1 (9.9 +/- 2.5%; 10.2 +/- 5.2 mmol/l) and type 2 patients (8.5 +/- 2.0%; 8.9 +/- 3.4 mmol/l). Glycaemia in the majority of both types of patients fell short of those stipulated by various guidelines. In type 2 patients, glycaemia deteriorated (HbA(1c) > 7.5%, FBG greater than or equal to 7.0 mmol/l) with duration of diabetes > 7 years. Both types of diabetes appear to share a similar high prevalence of complications of cataract, retinopathy and neuropathy, although the prevalence of cataract (27%) and neuropathy (35%) was higher in type 2 diabetes. Screening for microalbuminuria was not common. Conclusions: The inadequate metabolic and hypertension control, especially in type 2 patients, needs to be addressed.