Evaluating the Relationship Between Diabetes and Beverage Intake by Assessing Hemoglobin A1c

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a correlation between diabetes control and beverage consumption. We hypothesize that diabetes control (as measured by A1C) is inversely related to consumption of sugary sweetened beverages (SSB) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This study will be a retrospective chart review evaluating the relationship between intake of sugary sweetened beverages and hemoglobin A1C values (HgA1C). Individuals will be eligible for inclusion in the study if they are current patients at El Rio Community Health Center with type 2 diabetes and were 18 years of age or older at the time of the study. Exclusion criteria are as follows: not seen by a clinical pharmacist for diabetes within the last year (Jan 2015 – Feb 2016), no beverage consumption information available in electronic chart and/or no A1C value listed in the patient’s profile. The anticipated study population will be comprised of 330 patients. The data will be analyzed using a t-test to determine the relationship between A1C and beverage consumption. Results: 150 patients were identified from the patient pool as meeting inclusion criteria. The mean fluid ounces of SSB consumption in the low SSB intake group and high SSB intake group were 7.2 (SD=2.441) and 30.269 (SD=21.197) respectively. The mean A1C in the low SSB intake group was 8.35 (SD=2.038) and in the high SSB intake group was 8.799 (SD=1.852). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean A1C in the low SSB intake group and the high SSB intake group (p=0.2451). Conclusions: The mean A1C between high SSB intake and low SSB intake appears similar.