Outcomes of audit-enhanced monitoring of patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the outcome of diabetes care in a practice-based research network after the introduction of an audit-enhanced monitoring system (AEMS).

STUDY DESIGN

An AEMS was introduced into family practices participating in the academic research network of Nijmegen University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. One and 7 years later, a cross-sectional analysis was performed on the outcome of care in all type 2 diabetes patients under treatment by their family physicians.

POPULATION

Approximately 42,000 patients in 1993 and approximately 46,000 patients in 1999 at 10 family practices participating in the university's academic research network.

OUTCOMES MEASURED

Targets of care were HbA1c < 8.5% and blood pressure < 150/85 mm Hg. Targets for lipids depended on age, cardiovascular morbidity, and smoking status.

RESULTS

In 1993, 540 type 2 diabetes patients were included; in 1999, 851 such patients were included, representing a prevalence of 1.3% and 2.0%, respectively. Glycemic control improved statistically significantly by the percentage of patients with HbA1c < 8.5% (87% vs 59%, P =.0001) and the mean HbA1c (7.1% vs 8.2%, P =.0001) from the first to the second cohort. Mean blood pressure and the percentage of patients above the target blood pressure did not change. The mean cholesterol (207 mg/dL vs 238 mg/dL [5.4 mmol/L vs 6.2 mmol/L], P =.0001) and the percentage of patients who met their target lipid levels (72% vs 52%, P =.001) also improved between 1993 and 1999. In addition, an increased percentage of patients attended an annual review in the past year (73% vs 84%).

CONCLUSIONS

Outcomes of diabetes care in a family practice research setting using an AEMS were comparable with those reported under randomized controlled trial conditions.