Association of characteristics of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus with discordant values of fasting glucose and HbA1c

BACKGROUND: Primary care physicians frequently encounter people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with discordant values for fasting glucose and HbA1c. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and characteristics of people in whom blood glucose and HbA1c did not match. METHODS: Overall, 64 553 people with T2DM from 939 general or internal medicine practices (Disease Analyzer database, Germany; January 2013-December 2015) were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify associations between baseline clinical characteristics, comorbidity, and glucose-lowering treatment and discordance of fasting glucose and HbA1c values measured at the same visit. RESULTS: Overall, 8582 (13%) patients had fasting glucose ≥140 mg/dL and HbA1c 200) per practice. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of people with T2DM in primary care practices have discordant fasting blood glucose and HbA1c values. People who have discordant glycemic values have different characteristics.