BACKGROUND: Intervention against cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia and smoking is necessary to reduce the increased mortality associated with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: The case notes of 2003 patients with diabetes in general practice in Rogaland, Salten and Aker were reviewed in order to assess the quality of diabetes care including the treatment of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: 287 out of 1417 patients below the age of 76 had known cardiovascular disease. Of these, 57.5% were treated with a statin and 61 % were taking aspirin. 118 patients had had a myocardial infarction, 69.5% were on a statin and 60.2% were taking aspirin. 776 (38.7%) of the patients in the study had been diagnosed as suffering from hypertension, 40.3% were on therapy with one anti-hypertensive agent, 28.6% received two agents and 12.1% were on three or more anti-hypertensive agents. Only 57.5% of patients, who according to current national guidelines ought to be on a statin as secondary prevention, received such a treatment. Smoking habits were recorded in 35.1% and weight in 45 % of the patients. INTERPRETATION: There is considerable room for improvement with regard to intervention against known risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes treated in primary care.
BACKGROUND: Intervention against cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia and smoking is necessary to reduce the increased mortality associated with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: The case notes of 2003 patients with diabetes in general practice in Rogaland, Salten and Aker were reviewed in order to assess the quality of diabetes care including the treatment of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: 287 out of 1417 patients below the age of 76 had known cardiovascular disease. Of these, 57.5% were treated with a statin and 61 % were taking aspirin. 118 patients had had a myocardial infarction, 69.5% were on a statin and 60.2% were taking aspirin. 776 (38.7%) of the patients in the study had been diagnosed as suffering from hypertension, 40.3% were on therapy with one anti-hypertensive agent, 28.6% received two agents and 12.1% were on three or more anti-hypertensive agents. Only 57.5% of patients, who according to current national guidelines ought to be on a statin as secondary prevention, received such a treatment. Smoking habits were recorded in 35.1% and weight in 45 % of the patients. INTERPRETATION: There is considerable room for improvement with regard to intervention against known risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes treated in primary care.
Authors: John Graham Cooper; Tor Claudi; Anne Karen Jenum; Geir Thue; Marie Fjelde Hausken; Wibeche Ingskog; Sverre Sandberg Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2008-10-13 Impact factor: 17.152