Mayo Clinic researchers recently published data showing that adult patients with Type 2 diabetes are being overtested by their physicians. They found in a study of 31,545 nonpregnant adults with controlled, non-insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes that these patients were tested for their glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) about three or four times per year. About 6% of them were tested 5 or more times for HbA1C annually as ordered by a physician. However, about 55% of these patients had achieved and maintained recommended less than 7% HbA1C level. They concluded that HbA1C testing once or twice a year is sufficient for this population. Researchers said the excessive testing increased the chances of overtreatment with one or more drugs. Patients who received bundled testing of HbA1C with cholesterol and creatinine typically had lower rates of over-testing. "Our findings are concerning, especially as we focus more on improving the value of care we deliver to our patients--not only ensuring maximal benefit, but also being mindful of waste, patient burden and health care costs," said Dr. Rozalina McCoy, a Mayo Clinic primary care physician and endocrinologist and the study's lead investigator, in a statement. "As providers, we must be ever vigilant to provide the right testing and treatment to our patients at the right times--both for their well-being and to ensure the best value in the health care we provide." Release