Joint and distinct risk factors associated with micro- and macrovascular complications in a cohort of type 2 diabetic patients cared through disease management.

We analysed the risk factors associated with diabetic complications in the cohort of patients assisted by a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) shared-care program. We analysed registry data from 16,136 T2DM patients. Of them, 4,781 had microangiopathy, 3,469 CV events. They were 70.5 ± 17.1 years old, 50% were male, disease duration 13.3 ± 7.8 years, BMI 28.7 ± 4.9 kg/m², HbA1c 7.08 ± 1.23%, FBG 134.7 ± 35.7 mg/dl, 2hPPBG 163.9 ± 47.8 mg/dl, 12.5% smokers. Cholesterol 202.5 ± 37.6 mg/dl, HDL 51.4 ± 20.4 mg/dl, LDL 126.5 ± 36.0 mg/dl, triglyceride 146.2 ± 72.4 mg/dl, SBP 137.8 ± 14.2 mmHg, DBP 80.7 ± 10.8 mmHg, 10-year CV risk score 13.7 ± 9.1; 70.4% had no microangiopathy-i.e. renal, retinal, peripheral nerve disease-and 78.5% of patients had no CV events. Age-adjusted risk factors associated with diabetic complications were male gender, HbA1c, 2hPPBG, HDL, and triglyceride. FBG and SBP were associated with microangiopathy, whereas smoking with cardiovascular events. Optimal targets were reached in: FBG 17%, 2hPPBG 8%, HbA1c 21%, cholesterol 17%, HDL 8%, LDL 5%, triglyceride 20%, SBP 13%, DBP 30%. Drug profiles showed 13% using metformin, 28% sulphonilureas, 26% bitherapy, 4% insulin; 12% statins, 16% anti-platelets, 27% anti-hypertensives, 2% anti-coagulants. T2DM patients showed an acceptable CV risk profile. Joint risk factors for diabetic complications were male gender, HbA1c, 2hPPBG, HDL, and triglyceride. Distinct risk factors were FBG and SBP for micro- and smoking for macrovascular disease. A targeted-to-treat approach needs more attention in the care of T2DM patients.

[Computerized medical records in monitoring hypertension. Longitudinal and horizontal evaluation of 25 general practitioners in a primary care setting of Modena, Italy]. / Monitoraggio del paziente iperteso attraverso l'utilizzo della cartella clinica informatizzata. Valutazione longitudinale e trasversale dell'attività di 25 Medici di Medicina Generale della azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale di Modena.

This study aims at evaluating the effectiveness of a computerized-based Clinical Record in monitoring hypertension in a Primary Care Setting. Blood pressure (BP) recording increased by 62% to 70% in the years 2004 to 2006. No improvement, however, was noticeable in the achievement of gold-standard targets in BP control (62% in all period). At the end of 2006 BP was recorded in 65% of patients. Among them, 2/3 of the non diabetics reached < 140/90 mmHg standard, while only 23% of diabetics reached < 130/80 mmHg standard. In conclusion, using a computerized clinical record appears not to be sufficient to obtain good clinical performances, yet it is a necessary first step to clinical audit.

Characteristics of an Italian diabetic population and long-term changes in glycaemic control at varying body weight categories.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of a diabetic population in a primary care setting, and to evaluate changes in glycaemic control at varying body weight categories. METHODS: We collected 4,610 valid baseline and three years follow-up paired data sheets sent from 77% of the general practitioners adhering to our shared-care program (257 GPs out of 521) for people with type 2 diabetes. Three conventional body weight categories were defined: "normal" (BMI, < or = 25 kg/m2), "overweight" (BMI 25.0-29.9), "obesity" (BMI > or = 30). According to weight status we calculated descriptive statistics and follow-up paired changes. RESULTS: A fifth of the diabetic patients had a "normal" BMI, about 45% was "overweight" and 34% was "obese". At follow-up, the glycaemic control significantly improved both in "normal" and "overweight" people, while it significantly worsened in "obese" ones. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the crucial role played by body weight and its changes in diabetic patients.