Prediabetes Diagnosis and Treatment in Primary Care

Background: The increasing prevalence of diabetes is a major health problem. The detection and treatment of prediabetes can delay the onset of diabetes and presents an important diabetes prevention strategy.

Methods: Using data from the 2012 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, we studied visits by adults aged ≥45 years without diagnosed diabetes who had an HbA_1c test within 90 days of the visit (n = 518 unweighted visits; n = 11,167,004 weighted visits). HbA_1c results were categorized into normal, prediabetes, and diabetes, and we examined patient characteristics (age, sex, race, payer type, body mass index) and treatment of prediabetes.

Results: Among visiting adults, 54.6% had a normal HbA_1c value, 33.6% had prediabetes, and 11.9% had diabetes. Of those patient visits with HbA_1c consistent with prediabetes, the number of patients diagnosed with prediabetes was too low for a reliable population estimate. Indication of treatment in the medical record (lifestyle modification counseling and/or metformin) was present in 23.0% of those with diagnosed or undiagnosed prediabetes. The most common treatment was lifestyle modification counseling.

Conclusions: Our findings show that there are missed opportunities for diabetes prevention in primary care. Providers need to change their approach to prediabetes and play a more effective role in preventing diabetes.