Janice C Zgibor1, Maura A Maloney2, Markku Malmi3, Anthony Fabio2, Shihchen Kuo4, Francis X Solano5, Debra Tilves2, Lichuan Tu6, Mayer B Davidson7. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, United States. Electronic address: jzgibor@health.usf.edu. 2. Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, United States. 3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, United States. 4. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States. 5. Physician Services Division, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States. 6. Arbor Research for Collaborative for Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States. 7. Department of Internal Medicine, Charles R. Drew University, United States.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in HbA1c, blood pressure, and LDLc levels in participants from practices where certified diabetes educators (CDEs) implemented standardized protocols to intensify treatment compared with those receiving usual care. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This clustered, randomized, clinical trial was implemented in community-based primary care practices. Fifteen primary care practices and 240 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to the intervention (n=175) or usual care (n=65). Participants had uncontrolled HbA1c, blood pressure, or LDLc. The one-year intervention included CDEs implementing pre-approved protocols to intensify treatment. Diabetes self-management education was also provided in both study groups. RESULTS:The population was 50.8% male with a mean age of 61years. The HbA1c in the intervention group decreased from 8.8% to 7.8%, (p=0.001) while the HbA1c in the usual care group increased slightly from 8.2% to 8.3%. There was also a significant difference in HbA1c between the two groups (p=0.004). There was not a significant difference between groups for systolic blood pressure (SBP) or LDLc at the end of the intervention. Those in the intervention group were more likely to have glucose-lowering medications intensified and were more likely to have their HbA1c (35% vs 15%), SBP (80% vs 77%) and HbA1c, SBP, and LDLc at goal (11% vs 1.5%) compared with the usual care group. There was no significant difference in intensification of blood pressure or cholesterol medication. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that CDEs following standardized protocols in primary care is feasible and can effectively intensify treatment and improve glycemic control.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in HbA1c, blood pressure, and LDLc levels in participants from practices where certified diabetes educators (CDEs) implemented standardized protocols to intensify treatment compared with those receiving usual care. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This clustered, randomized, clinical trial was implemented in community-based primary care practices. Fifteen primary care practices and 240 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to the intervention (n=175) or usual care (n=65). Participants had uncontrolled HbA1c, blood pressure, or LDLc. The one-year intervention included CDEs implementing pre-approved protocols to intensify treatment. Diabetes self-management education was also provided in both study groups. RESULTS: The population was 50.8% male with a mean age of 61years. The HbA1c in the intervention group decreased from 8.8% to 7.8%, (p=0.001) while the HbA1c in the usual care group increased slightly from 8.2% to 8.3%. There was also a significant difference in HbA1c between the two groups (p=0.004). There was not a significant difference between groups for systolic blood pressure (SBP) or LDLc at the end of the intervention. Those in the intervention group were more likely to have glucose-lowering medications intensified and were more likely to have their HbA1c (35% vs 15%), SBP (80% vs 77%) and HbA1c, SBP, and LDLc at goal (11% vs 1.5%) compared with the usual care group. There was no significant difference in intensification of blood pressure or cholesterol medication. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that CDEs following standardized protocols in primary care is feasible and can effectively intensify treatment and improve glycemic control.