Individualized HbA1c targets and the factors concerning glycemic goal achievement in type 2 diabetes patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the impact of individualized HbA1c targets on the rate of HbA1c goal achievement. Methods: Individualized HbA1c target values were set for 389 randomly selected outpatients with type 2 diabetes and the relationship to the clinical parameters was examined. Results: Individualized HbA1c target values of <7 % and <8 % were set in 227 (58 %) and 162 (42 %) patients, respectively. While 55 % of the patients achieved an HbA1c level of <7 %, 69 % of the patients achieved the individualized HbA1c goal. The patients who failed to achieve the individualized HbA1c goal showed higher BMI values and lower C-peptide to glucose ratios in comparison to those who achieved the goal. Conclusion: The application of individualized HbA1c targets to clinical practice resulted in an achievement rate that was ∼ 15 % higher in comparison to a target HbA1c level of <7 %. Obesity and a lower beta cell function were associated with failure to achieve the individualized HbA1c goal.