Identifying targets to improve treatment in type 2 diabetes; the Groningen Initiative to aNalyse Type 2 diabetes Treatment (GIANTT) observational study

Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2010 Oct;19(10):1078-86. doi: 10.1002/pds.2023.

Abstract

Purpose: Assessment of quality of cardiometabolic risk management in diabetes in primary care.

Methods: In a descriptive cohort study including 95 Dutch general practices, we assessed medication treatment in relation to the level of control for HbA1c, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) in 2007. We also applied a prospective measure of treatment quality by assessing treatment modifications in not well-controlled patients. In a subpopulation of 23 practices, we studied trends in these quality indicators from 2004 (2059 patients) to 2007 (2929 patients).

Results: In 2007, averages for HbA1c, SBP and LDL-c were 6.9%, 142 mmHg and 2.3 mmol/l, respectively. Of the patients with an HbA1c > 8.5%, 16% were treated with one oral drug class and 50% used insulin. In 27% of these patients, therapy modification occurred subsequently. During the 4-year period, a slight decrease in average HbA1c was observed, but no changes in treatment level. In 2007, 56% of the patients had an SBP ≥ 140 mmHg, 19% of whom were not using antihypertensives. In the 13% with an SBP > 160 mmHg, 23% received a therapy modification. During the 4-year period, the average SBP decreased with 6 mmHg but the treatment level showed no substantial increase. In 2007, 39% had an LDL-c level ≥ 2.5 mmol/l, 49% of whom were not using statins. Of the patients with an LDL-c > 3.5 mmol/l, only 9% received a therapy modification.

Conclusions: The decreasing population averages of HbA1c, SBP and LDL-c values suggest improvement in quality of care. However, the relatively few therapy modifications observed in insufficiently controlled patients show room for improvement.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / drug effects
  • Cohort Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Family Practice
  • Female
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Medical Records
  • Metabolic Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Primary Health Care
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Blood Glucose
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Hypoglycemic Agents