Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationships between strict HbA1c levels and mortality risk among adults with type 2 diabetes by age, insulin therapy, and hypertension comorbidity. METHODS: Data of adult participants with type 2 diabetes from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) and its linked mortality file (with follow-up death up to 2000) were used. RESULTS: Having strict glycemic control (i.e., HbA1c ≤6.5%) was associated with a lower risk of mortality (hazards ratio=0.69; 95% confidence interval=0.48-0.98). However, among those with strict glycemic control levels, statistically significant results were not found. CONCLUSION: Reaching strict glycemic control levels in the general US population with type 2 diabetes appears to be associated with lower mortality. Further research is needed as to how strict glycemic control affects certain diabetic groups.