The Effect of the Change in the Definition of Type 2 Diabetes on Patient Demographics

In 1998 the definition of type 2 diabetes was revised, in particular the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) diagnostic level was lowered from 7.8 mmol/L to 7.0 mmol/L. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of this change on patient demographics. Materials & Methods: We reviewed data from 1700 type 2 diabetes patients, who attended the St. Paul’s Hospital Diabetes Teaching and Train-ing Centre before (group 1) and after (group 2) the definition change. Demographical data from a baseline and follow-up were analyzed. The frequencies of patients in groups and cohorts <60 years of age and ≥60 years of age were calculated and HbA1c data was analyzed. Results: Compared to Group 1, Group 2 was younger, had a significantly lower mean HbA1c level (7.3% vs 8.1%, p<0.0001), blood pressure (127/78 vs 133/82 mmHg, p<0.05) and cholesterol (5.2 vs 5.5 mmol, p<0.05) and was more often treated with multiple medications (p<0.001). Pa-tients in Group 2 were significantly more likely to meet the target HbA1c level of 7.0% than pa-tients in Group 1 (p<0.0001). It was also found that at baseline, patients ≥60 years old in Group 2 had significantly lower HbA1c values than those <60 years old (p<0.001). Conclusion: Since the change in the definition of type 2 diabetes, a greater frequency of patients presented with lower mean HbA1c values and met target HbA1c levels. Patients ≥60 years old initially presented with lower HbA1c levels than those <60 years old.