Implementation of a personalized care plan for patients with type 2 diabetes is associated with improvements in clinical outcomes:an observational real-world study

• Main Authors: Vuohijoki, A. (Anni), Mikkola, I. (Ilona), Jokelainen, J. (Jari), Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi, S. (Sirkka), Winell, K. (Klas), Frittitta, L. (Lucia), Timonen, M. (Markku), Hagnäs, M. (Maria)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications 2020
• Subjects: health outcomes; managed care; patient-centeredness; prevention; primary care; Rovaniemi
• Online Access: http://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi-fe2020070847153

Abstract Objective: To analyze the clinical outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) before and after implementation of a personalized care plan in the primary health care setting. Design: Observational, retrospective, real-world study. Setting: All T2D patients with a care plan in Rovaniemi Health Center, Rovaniemi, Finland, for whom data were available from a baseline visit (in 2013–2015 during which the care plan was written) and from a follow-up visit, including an updated care plan by the year 2017. Subjects: In total, 447 patients were included. Mean age was 66.9 (SD 10.1) years, 58.8% were male, 15.4% were smokers, 33.1% had vascular disease, and 17.0% were receiving insulin treatment. The mean follow-up time was 14.4 months. Main Outcome Measures: Glycosylated hemoglobin A1 (HbA1c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI). Clinical values were taken at both baseline and follow-up. Results: LDL decreased by 0.2 mmol/L, systolic blood pressure by 2.2 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure by 1.5 mm Hg, and BMI by 0.5 kg/m² (P < 0.05 for each). The decrease in HbA1c was 0.8 mmol/mol (P = 0.07). Conclusion: We observed statistically significant decreases in LDL, BP, and BMI. Our results indicate that, over 14 months of follow-up, implementation of a written care plan was associated with small improvements in the clinical outcomes of T2D patients in a primary health care study population in a real-world setting.