INTRODUCTION: DiabCare 2008 study was conducted to understand the current status of diabetes care in the Philippines. It is the continuation of the similar studies conducted in 1998 and 2003. It is expected to shed some light on the changes in status of diabetes care over the past decade in the Philippines.

METHODOLOGY: A total of 770 diabetic patients were recruited from general hospitals, diabetes clinics and referral clinics, out of which 724 were type 2 diabetic patients. The following information were collected during direct patient interview and review of medical records: demographic data (date of birth/age, sex, educational status, marital status, ethnicity, etc), medical history (duration of diabetes and concomitant diseases), risk factors, clinical examination reports, self-monitoring data, diabetes education, complications, eye and foot examinations, diabetes management and HbA1C measurement. Quality of life, adjustment to illness, and compliance to medications and health maintaining behaviors were also evaluated using structured questionnaires.

RESULTS: The mean HbA1c was 8.03 plus or minus 1.96 % and only 15.0% of the patients achieved ADA target of