Introduction: Considerable attention has been given to the screening and optimization of treatment of people with type 2-diabetes in the period 2000-2005. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the prevalence of people with type 2-diabetes and the quality of diabetes care provided in the period 2000 to 2005.
Material and methods: Using a previously evaluated method, all patients with type 2-diabetes were identified and described on the basis of register data in what was then the County of Aarhus.
Results: A total of 11,436 people with type 2-diabetes were identified in the age group 40-70 years, corresponding to a prevalence of 4.61%. In 2005 58% were in antidiabetic pharmacological treatment, 68% of whom received oral antidiabetic treatment, 15% were on insulin alone and 16% received a combination treatment including insulin and oral treatment. Furthermore, a total of 50% of the included patients were on lipid-lowering treatment of whom 99% were in statin-therapy. One or more measurements of HbA1c were taken in 87% of the patients in 2001 compared with 81% in 2005 (p < 0.000). A total of 60% had an HbA1c < 8 in 2001 compared with 67% in 2005 (p < 0.000). In 2001 72% had a cholesterol measurement compared with 77% in 2005 (p < 0.000). A total of 23% had a cholesterol value < 4.5. mmol/l in 2001 compared with 42% in 2005 (p < 0.000).
Conclusion: During a period of five years the prevalence of people with type 2-diabetes increased. In the same period, improvement was seen in the quality indicators of HbA1c and cholesterol level. There is, however, still room for improvement.