December 10th, 2015
Podcast 192: Are we too sweet on HbA1c testing?
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Over half the patients with Type 2 diabetes have their HbA1c measured too frequently — i.e., at least three times a year. Why is that a bad thing? Dr. Rozalina McCoy, the lead author of a paper in The BMJ explains.
Using claims data, her group followed over 30,000 patients with stable HbA1c levels and found that only 40% had measurements taken within guideline-suggested limits — twice a year.
Links:
- BMJ study on overtesting of HbA1c
- Physician’s First Watch coverage of BMJ study
- A November 2015 interview on treatment “deintensification” (free)
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