Perspectives on Stringent Glycemic Control and Weight Loss Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in China: A Survey Study

Introduction: Although current guidelines for type 2 diabetes (T2D) underscored the importance of attaining glycemic control and weight management goals, the patient perspectives on achieving these goals remained unclear in China. This study aimed to understand Chinese patients' perspectives on stringent glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] ≤ 6.5%) and weight loss (≥ 10%) and their treatment preferences.

Methods: Adult Chinese patients diagnosed with T2D who were aware of their latest HbA1c were enrolled in this survey study. An electronic questionnaire was designed to collect patients' characteristics, perspectives on safely achieving stringent glycemic control and weight loss, and preferences for different T2D treatment profiles.

Results: The study included 495 patients. Patients predominantly indicated that safely achieving stringent glycemic control was extremely (82.83%) or moderately (12.12%) important. Nearly half of the patients (n = 231) perceived ≥ 10% weight loss as beneficial, among whom 117 (50.65%) and 84 (36.36%) indicated it was extremely and moderately important, respectively. Both having HbA1c > 6.5% within the past 6 months and body mass index ≥ 24 kg/m were associated with increased odds of choosing the T2D treatment with a higher chance of achieving stringent glycemic control and weight loss, given a similar safety profile. Conversely, age ≥ 60 years was associated with decreased odds of having the outcomes listed above.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that most surveyed patients with T2D in China recognized the importance of safely achieving stringent glycemic control and weight loss. The identified factors associated with patients' perspectives and preferences could benefit clinical decision-making.