Introduction & Objective: While current guidelines for T2DM emphasize the importance of achieving glycemic control and weight management goals, it’s worth noting that the perspectives of people with T2DM (PWD) on achieving these goals remain unclear in China. This study aims to describe demographics and clinical experiences of PWD in China and to understand their perspectives on stringent glycemic control (HbA1c ≤ 6.5%) and weight loss (≥ 10%).

Methods: This cross-sectional mobile web survey was conducted in a representative sample of PWD across China from July to August 2023. Participants aged ≥ 18 years with diagnosed T2DM and aware of their latest HbA1c within past 6 months were enrolled as the study sample. Descriptive statistics were performed.

Results: The study sample comprised of 495 participants with the mean (SD) age 58.02 (12.44) years and the majority being male (60.20%), overweight/obese (56.37%) and having the latest HbA1c > 6.5% (71.31%). This sample indicated that achieving stringent glycemic control would be extremely (82.83%) or moderately (12.12%) important. Most of the study sample (90.10%) perceived achieving stringent glycemic control could bring positive impact to physical health. More than half of the sample (62.83%) perceived ≥ 10% weight loss as beneficial or neutral. Out of 231 participants who perceived beneficial, 117 (50.65%) and 84 (36.36%) indicated that ≥ 10% weight loss was extremely or moderately important, respectively. Moreover, around 70% of the study sample preferred treatments with higher rates of achieving both stringent glycemic control and weight loss, when safety profiles were similar.

Conclusion: This study underscored that the majority of PWD recognized paramount importance of stringent glycemic control and weight loss in China. Their treatment preferences, which reflected their perceptions, may have implications for decision-making of diabetes treatments in clinical practice.

Disclosure

J. Zhang: None. A. Li: None. J. Quan: None. J. Wu: None. H. Cai: None. Y. Ding: Employee; Eli Lilly and Company. Stock/Shareholder; Eli Lilly and Company. J. Tang: Employee; Lilly Diabetes. X. Ma: Employee; Eli Lilly and Company. J. Zhang: None.

Funding

Eli Lilly and Company, Shanghai, China

© 2024 by the American Diabetes Association
2024
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