INTRODUCTION. Growing diabetes epidemic is a widely known fact, as well as difficulties in effective therapeutic management and resulting high risk of developing late complications of diabetes. The level of glycosylated hemoglobin HbA_1c is one of key parameters of long term diabetes control.
MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study included diabetic patients managed by GPs (primary health care physicians) and patients managed by specialists from specialist diabetic out-patient health care units. Additionally, a group of diabetic patients was assessed who were managed by physicians taking part in a national educational program "HbA_1c - good control of diabetes". There was a random selection of GPs and specialists taking part in the PolDiab study. 1538 diabetic patients took part in the study: 706 diabetic patients managed by GPs, 462 diabetic patients managed by diabetologists and 370 diabetic patients managed by physicians taking part in the program "HbA_1c - good control of diabetes".
RESULTS. The study population consisted of 10.1% of type 1 and 89% of type 2 diabetic patients. Mean HbA_1c value for the studied population was 8.07 ± 1.52%. In the group of patients managed by GPs mean HbA_1c value was 8.12%. In the group of patients treated in specialist diabetic out-patient health care units HbA_1c value was 7.97%. In the group of patients managed by physicians taking part in the program "HbA_1c good control of diabetes" HbA_1c value was 7.92%. In the group of type 1 diabetes patients mean HbA_1c value was 8.98 ± 1.89%. In type 2 diabetic patients mean HbA_1c value was 7.98 ± 1.44%.
CONCLUSIONS. The level of diabetic care in Poland as measured by HbA_1c value and by the level of diabetic education of patients differs considerably from the standards of Polish Diabetological Association and should be improved. Physicians taking part in the educational program "HbA_1c - good control of diabetes" provide a more effective diabetic care than GPs and at a similar level as specialists in diabetology.