Table 2

Prediction of HbA1c (mmol/mol) by type of glucose-lowering treatment

Diet and lifestyleOHAInsulin (±OHA)
Ethnicity/race
 SwedenReferenceReferenceReference
 East Asia3.79 (2.59 to 5)1.84 (0.7 to 2.97)2.13 (−0.36 to 4.62)
 Europe (high-income), North America and Oceania0.14 (−0.37 to 0.65)0.19 (−0.41 to 0.79)1.86 (0.42 to 3.3)
 Europe (low-income), Russia and Central Asia1.58 (1.05 to 2.11)1.2 (0.66 to 1.74)1.89 (0.63 to 3.16)
 Latin America and The Caribbean1.89 (0.76 to 3.02)2.42 (1.3 to 3.54)4.84 (2.6 to 7.07)
 Mediterranean Basin0.57 (−0.74 to 1.88)0.61 (−0.84 to 2.05)1.17 (−2.7 to 5.04)
 Middle East and North Africa1.85 (1.37 to 2.34)0.93 (0.46 to 1.41)2.79 (1.58 to 4.01)
 Nordic countries−0.01 (−0.36 to 0.35)0.19 (−0.22 to 0.6)0.81 (−0.19 to 1.8)
 South Asia4.21 (2.85 to 5.56)1.93 (0.6 to 3.25)1.91 (−1.12 to 4.94)
 Sub-Saharan Africa3.26 (2.22 to 4.3)3.61 (2.57 to 4.64)1.58 (−0.47 to 3.63)
Physical activity
 Daily physical activityReferenceReferenceReference
 3–5 times/week0.07 (0.01 to 0.14)0.11 (0.01 to 0.22)0.19 (−0.06 to 0.45)
 1–2 times/week0.26 (0.19 to 0.34)0.51 (0.4 to 0.62)0.74 (0.46 to 1.01)
 Less than once/week0.48 (0.39 to 0.57)1.03 (0.9 to 1.17)1.38 (1.06 to 1.7)
 No physical activity0.76 (0.66 to 0.86)1.20 (1.06 to 1.35)1.32 (1.00 to 1.65)
  • Figures are β coefficients (95% CI) that predict the change in HbA1c (mmol/mol).

  • The effect of physical activity is presented for comparison.

  • Example of interpretation: after accounting for included covariates, East Asian ethnicity predicts 3.79 mmol/mol higher HbA1c among persons on diet and lifestyle modifications.

  • Model adjustments: age, sex, age at onset of diabetes, duration of diabetes, quadratic effect of duration of diabetes, BMI, smoking status, history of cardiovascular disease, physical activity, income, education, lipid lowering medication and eGFR.

  • BMI, body mass index; eGFR, estimated-glomerular filtration rate; HbA1c, glycated haemoglobin; OHA, oral hypoglycaemic agents.