Gender: does it have role has a role in glycaemic control in Caucasians with wellcontrolled type 2 diabetes?

• Published in: International Journal of Diabetes and Metabolism
• Main Authors: Barre, D.E., Mizier-Barre, K.A., Griscti, O., Hafez, K.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: S. Karger AG 2007
• Subjects: Breton Island
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000497638; https://karger.com/ijd/article-pdf/15/3/76/4128311/000497638.pdf

Background: Type 2 diabetes is costly to manage and thus it is important to know if management of blood glucose and HbA1c are meeting clinical targets in both men and women. There is conflicting published data on the gender equality of blood glucose and HbA1c management in type 2 diabetics. Objective: The purpose of this work was to review the literature on gender equality in blood glucose management and to test the hypothesis that management of blood glucose and HbA1c would meet clinical targets in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, irrespective of gender in well controlled Caucasian type 2 diabetic patients. Design, Setting and Participants: Fasting serum insulin and insulin sensitivity levels were determined in order to assist in the explanation of the glucose and HbA1c results in people with diabetes. Patients were asked to give a fasting blood sample on each of two occasions three months apart. Results: There were no differences between males and females in each of fasting serum glucose (FSG) and HbA1c levels as well as fasting serum insulin concentrations and in insulin sensitivity at visit 1 or 2. However, each of FSG and HbA1c levels were slightly higher than clinical targets. Modestly elevated serum insulin and lower insulin sensitivity were consistent with the FSG and HbA1c levels. This contrasts with some of the existing literature pointing out the need for a much larger study to be done in Cape Breton. Conclusion: It is concluded that blood glucose management among people with well controlled type 2 diabetes in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia may be close to clinical targets irrespective of gender. A further lowering of HbA1c and FSG may be in order. However, this was only a very small study and a much larger one would answer whether there is gender equality in FSG and HbA1c among persons with well controlled type 2 diabetes on Cape Breton Island.