Outcomes of diabetes care: a population-based study
Aims. To describe prevalence, metabolic control, and complications of diabetes mellitus in a county in Northern Sweden, in order to improve diabetes care and guide decision makers. Methods. A population-based, cross-sectional, retrospective study of medical records of all registered persons with dia...
Published in: | International Journal for Quality in Health Care |
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Main Authors: | , |
Format: | Text |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Oxford University Press
2003
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://intqhc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/15/4/301 https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzg047 |
Summary: | Aims. To describe prevalence, metabolic control, and complications of diabetes mellitus in a county in Northern Sweden, in order to improve diabetes care and guide decision makers. Methods. A population-based, cross-sectional, retrospective study of medical records of all registered persons with diabetes mellitus ( n = 5251) in the area. Assessments and examinations concerning metabolic control and complications were studied over a period of 15 months. Results. Of the 5143 patients included, 13% had Type 1, 86% Type 2, and 1% other types of diabetes. An annual check-up was performed in 84% of patients. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA 1c ) was assessed in 88%, and had a mean value of 7.3% (sd 1.3%). Metabolic control was good in 33% and acceptable in another 26%. Risk factors for complications were found in 64%; in 35% body mass index was >30; 50% had hypertension; 22% were smokers; 51% had macro- and/or microvascular complications; ischaemic heart disease 26%; a cerebrovascular lesion 13%; amputation 1.8%; proteinuria 7.9%; microalbuminuria 2.6%; peripheral neuropathy 30%; impaired peripheral circulation 29%; and retinopathy 37%. Conclusions. The majority of patients with diabetes in the study area attended an annual check-up, had acceptable metabolic control and severe complications were uncommon. Nevertheless, the number of undocumented examinations was high, 40% of the patients had unacceptable metabolic control and more than 50% had macrovascular risk factors. These findings emphasize the importance in diabetes care of smoking cessation and intensive treatment of high blood pressure. |
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