HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose levels are equally related to incident cardiovascular risk in a high CVD risk population without known diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whether screen-detected T2DM, based on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or on HbA1c, are associated with different risks of incident CVD in high-risk populations and which one is preferable for diabetes screening in these populations, remains unclear. METHODS: 8,274 high-risk CVD participants were included from the UCC-SMART cohort. Participants were divided into groups based on prior T2DM diagnosis, and combinations of elevated/non-elevated FPG and HbA1c (cut-offs at 7 mmol/L and 48 mmol/mol, respectively): Group 0: known T2DM; group 1: elevated FPG/HbA1c; group 2: elevated FPG, non-elevated HbA1c; group 3: non-elevated FPG, elevated HbA1c; group 1 + 2: elevated FPG, regardless of HbA1c; group 1 + 3: elevated HbA1c, regardless of FPG; and group 4 (reference), non-elevated FPG/HbA1c. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 6.3 years (IQR 3.3-9.8), 712 cardiovascular events occurred. Compared to the reference (group 4), group 0 was at increased risk (HR 1.40; 95 % CI 1.16-1.68), but group 1 (HR 1.16; 95 % CI 0.62-2.18), 2 (HR 1.18; 95 % CI 0.84-1.67), 3 (HR 0.61; 95 % CI 0.15-2.44), 1 + 2 (HR 1.17; 95 % CI 0.86-1.59) and 1 + 3 (HR 1.01; 95 % CI 0.57-1.79) were not. However, spline interpolation showed a linearly increasing risk with increasing HbA1c/FPG, but did not allow for identification of other cut-off points. CONCLUSIONS: Based on current cut-offs, FPG and HbA1c at screening were equally related to incident CVD in high-risk populations without known T2DM. Hence, neither FPG, nor HbA1c, is preferential for diabetes screening in this population with respect to risk of incident CVD.

[Conservative treatment options for unguis incarnatus]. / Conservatieve behandelopties bij unguis incarnatus.

Unguis incarnatus (ingrown toenail) is a common problem in daily practice. Persons with unguis incarnatus stage two and three are often referred for surgical partial nail excision, however conservative treatment or minimal-invasive alternatives exist. In the latest Dutch guideline for ingrown toenails, there is minimal attention to these alternatives. A podiatrist can do a spiculectomy and places a bilateral orthonyxia (nail brace) or tamponnade afterwards. This treatment option was studied in a prospective cohort study in 88 persons with high risk for wound healing problems and was found to be a safe and effective treatment option. In this clinical lesson we discuss three casus and their treatment options including minimal-invasive treatments. Guidance of the nail growth needs more attention after procedures just like adequate nail clipping advices to prevent for recurrences. Both are not announced in the latest Dutch guideline.

Newer long-acting insulin prescriptions for patients with type 2 diabetes: prevalence and practice variation in a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about prescription patterns of expensive non-recommended newer long-acting insulins (glargine 300 U/mL and degludec) for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). AIM: To identify practice variation in, and practice- and patient-related characteristics associated with, the prescription of newer long-acting insulins to patients with T2DM in primary care. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective cohort study in Dutch general practices (Nivel Primary Care Database). METHOD: A first prescription for intermediate or long-acting insulins in 2018 was identified in patients aged ≥40 years using other T2DM drugs. Per practice, the median percentage and interquartile range (IQR) of patients with newer insulin prescriptions were calculated. Multilevel logistic regression models were constructed to calculate intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and quantify the association of patient and practice characteristics with prescriptions for newer insulins (odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]). RESULTS: In total, 7757 patients with prescriptions for intermediate or long-acting insulins from 282 general practices were identified. A median percentage of 21.2% (IQR 12.5-36.4%) of all patients prescribed intermediate or long-acting insulins per practice received a prescription for newer insulins. After multilevel modelling, the ICC decreased from 20% to 19%. Female sex (OR 0.77, 95% CI = 0.69 to 0.87), age ≥86 years compared with 40-55 years (OR 0.22, 95% CI = 0.15 to 0.34), prescriptions for metformin (OR 0.66, 95% CI = 0.53 to 0.82), sulfonylurea (OR 0.58, 95% CI = 0.51 to 0.66), or other newer T2DM drugs (OR 3.10, 95% CI = 2.63 to 3.66), and dispensing practices (OR 1.78, 95% CI = 1.03 to 3.10) were associated with the prescription of newer insulins. CONCLUSION: The inter-practice variation in the prescription of newer insulins is large and could only be partially explained by patient- and practice-related differences. This indicates substantial opportunities for improvement.

Within-class differences in cancer risk for sulfonylurea treatments in patients with type 2 diabetes (ZODIAC-55) - a study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at increased risk for developing cancer. As approximately 8% of the world's population is living with T2D, even a slight increase in cancer risk could result in an enormous impact on the number of persons developing cancer. In addition, several glucose lowering drug classes for treating patients with T2D have been associated with a difference in risk of cancer overall, and especially for obesity related cancers. In what way and to what degree cancer risk is modified by the use of different sulfonylureas (SU) is unclear. The primary aim of this study will be to evaluate within-class SU differences in obesity related cancer risk. Secondary aims will be to investigate within-class SU differences in risk for all cancers combined and site-specific cancers separately (i.e. breast, colorectal, prostate, bladder and lung cancer) and to account for duration-response relationships between individual SU use and cancer risk. METHODS: Patients will be selected from a Dutch primary care cohort of patients with T2D linked with the Dutch Cancer Registration (ZODIAC-NCR). Within this cohort study annually collected clinical data (e.g. blood pressure, weight, HbA1c) and nationwide data on cancer incidence are available. Time-dependent cox proportional hazard analyses will be performed to evaluate SU cancer risk, adjusted for potential confounders. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first prospective cohort study investigating within-class SU differences in cancer risk and could contribute to improved decision making regarding the individual drugs within the class of SUs, and possibly improve quality of life and result in an increased cost-effectiveness of healthcare in patients with T2D. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Nederlands Trialregister ( NTR6166 ), 6 Jan 2017.

Addition of sulphonylurea to metformin does not relevantly change body weight: a prospective observational cohort study (ZODIAC-39).

AIM: To investigate changes in body weight trajectories after the addition of individual sulphonylureas (SUs) to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study, in a primary care setting in the Netherlands. Patients aged ≥18 years with type 2 diabetes who were included in the ZODIAC cohort between 1998 and 2012 and who received metformin monotherapy at inclusion (n = 29 195), and had used metformin as monotherapy for at least 1 year before receiving dual therapy through the addition of an SU for at least 1 year were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was within-drug yearly change in body weight after receiving add-on therapy with individual SUs during 5 years of follow-up. The secondary outcome was within-drug yearly change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Annual changes in weight and HbA1c were estimated with linear mixed models, adjusted for age, gender and diabetes duration. RESULTS: A total of 2958 patients were included. No significant weight changes were observed within and between any of the individual SUs after treatment intensification (p = 0.24). In addition, no significant difference in weight between the add-on therapy combinations was observed (p = 0.26). The average HbA1c the year before intensification was 7.2% (55 mmol/mol) and dropped below 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) the year after. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type 2 diabetes treated in primary care, strict glycaemic control can be maintained with SUs used as add-on therapy to metformin, without the offset of relevant weight changes.

Dutch diabetes prevalence estimates (DUDE-1).

BACKGROUND: Recent decades have seen a constant upward projection in the prevalence of diabetes. Attempts to estimate diabetes prevalence rates based on relatively small population samples quite often result in underestimation. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the Dutch diabetes prevalence estimate of 930 000 for 2013, based on a relatively small sample, still holds true when a larger population is studied using actual prevalence data. METHODS: Data were collected from 92 primary care groups, including the total number of people with and without diabetes in 2013. Patients with diabetes were identified using the International Classification of Primary Care codes T90.02 (diabetes mellitus type 2; T2DM), T90.01 (diabetes mellitus type 1) and T90 (diabetes mellitus). Prevalence data were compared with previous estimates made in 2009. Diabetes prevalence was estimated using linear extrapolation. RESULTS: Complete data were available from 67 (73%) care groups, which together provided care for 7 922 403 subjects; 431 396 patients were coded as having diabetes, of whom 406 183 were coded as having T2DM. Based on these results, the extrapolated Dutch diabetes prevalence was 914 387 (5.45%). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the previous estimate (reported in 2009), which was based on data collected in 2007, resulted in a <2% (~16 000) overestimation in diabetes prevalence in 2013 compared with the analysis presented. These results indicate that no upward adjustment in Dutch diabetes prevalence estimates is necessary. Repeated large-scale monitoring can help develop more accurate prevalence estimates and improve future prevalence predictions.

Sex Differences in the Quality of Diabetes Care in the Netherlands (ZODIAC-45).

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate whether trends in quality of diabetes care differ between sexes in the Netherlands from 1998 till 2013. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this prospective observational cohort study quality of care was measured using process and outcome measures in patients with type 2 diabetes in primary care. Trend and absolute differences between sexes were investigated for patients <75 years. Subgroup analyses were performed in patients ≥75 years. 10-year mortality risk was assessed with the Globorisk risk equation in patients without cardiovascular diseases <75 years. RESULTS: The number of patients increased from 2,644 in 1998 to 62,230 in 2013. In 1998, 51% of the men and 60% of the women <75 years had an HbA1c >53 mmol/mol; this decreased to approximately 29% in both sexes in 2013. Patients having a systolic blood pressure >140 mmHg decreased from 70% to 42%, and from 80% to 40% in men and women <75 years, respectively. In patients ≥75 years it decreased from 72% to 50% in men and 85% to 56% in women. Obesity increased in both sexes, whereas smoking in men and women declined in patients <75 years (men: 34% to 22%; women: 22% to 18%). The number of patients with a mortality risk >20% over 10 years decreased from 15% to 3% in men and from 18% to 3% in women. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of diabetes care has improved considerably in the period 1998-2013 in both sexes. Possibly relevant trend differences between sexes were observed for HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, BMI and smoking. The predicted mortality risk decreased over time in both sexes. Except for BMI in both age groups and systolic blood pressure in patients ≥75 years, no evident poorer risk factor control in women compared to men was found at the end of the study period.

Efficacy of device-guided breathing for hypertension in blinded, randomized, active-controlled trials: a meta-analysis of individual patient data.

IMPORTANCE: Device-guided breathing (DGB) is recommended by the American Heart Association for its blood pressure-lowering effects. Most previous studies that showed beneficial effects on blood pressure had low methodological quality and only investigated short-term blood pressure effects. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of DGB on blood pressure in a meta-analysis of individual patient data from blinded, randomized controlled trials with an active control group. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, clinicaltrials.gov, and the Cochrane Library. STUDY SELECTION: Included were randomized studies of at least 4 weeks' duration, with a single- or double-blind design and an active control group. Bias was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and analyses were performed with linear mixed models. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Articles were searched in MEDLINE (using PubMed), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Office blood pressure. RESULTS: From the 15 selected abstracts, 5 studies were suitable for inclusion. Individual patient data from 2 of 5 studies were not provided. The effect of DGB on office systolic blood pressure compared with music therapy or a sham device was 2.2 mm Hg (95% CI, -2.7 to 7.0) in favor of the control group; DGB did not significantly lower office diastolic blood pressure (0.2 mm Hg [95% CI, -2.8 to 3.1] in favor of DGB). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: All trials included in the analysis had a short follow-up period; therefore, no recommendations could be made regarding hypertension treatment. Treatment with DGB did not significantly lower office blood pressure compared with a sham procedure or music therapy.

Chromium does not belong in the diabetes treatment arsenal: Current evidence and future perspectives.

Chromium is considered to have positive effects on insulin sensitivity and is marketed as an adjunctive therapy for inducing glucose tolerance in cases of insulin resistance ("the glucose tolerance factor"). Case reports on patients who received prolonged parenteral nutrition indeed showed that the absence of trivalent chromium caused insulin resistance and diabetes. However, whether patients with type 2 diabetes can develop a clinically relevant chromium deficiency is unclear. This review summarizes the available evidence regarding the potential effectiveness of chromium supplementation on glycemic control (Hemoglobin A1c levels) in patients with type 2 diabetes. No studies investigating the long-term safety of chromium in humans were found. All clinical trials that have been performed had a relative short follow-up period. None of the trials investigated whether the patients had risk factors for chromium deficiency. The evidence from randomized trials in patients with type 2 diabetes demonstrated that chromium supplementation does not effectively improve glycemic control. The meta-analyses showed that chromium supplementation did not improve fasting plasma glucose levels. Moreover, there were no clinically relevant chromium effects on body weight in individuals with or without diabetes. Future studies should focus on reliable methods to estimate chromium status to identify patients at risk for pathological alterations in their metabolism associated with chromium deficiency. Given the present data, there is no evidence that supports advising patients with type 2 diabetes to take chromium supplements.

Safety and efficacy of gliclazide as treatment for type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Gliclazide has been associated with a low risk of hypoglycemic episodes and beneficial long-term cardiovascular safety in observational cohorts. The aim of this study was to assess in a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials the safety and efficacy of gliclazide compared to other oral glucose-lowering agents (PROSPERO2013:CRD42013004156). DATA SOURCES: Medline, EMBASE, Clinicaltrials.gov, Trialregister.nl, Clinicaltrialsregister.eu and the Cochrane database. SELECTION: Included were randomized studies of at least 12 weeks duration with the following outcomes: HbA1c change, incidence of severe hypoglycemia, weight change, cardiovascular events and/or mortality when comparing gliclazide with other oral blood glucose lowering drugs. Bias was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The inverse variance random effects model was used. RESULTS: Nineteen trials were included; 3,083 patients treated with gliclazide and 3,155 patients treated with other oral blood glucose lowering drugs. There was a considerable amount of heterogeneity between and bias in studies. Compared to other glucose lowering agents except metformin, gliclazide was slightly more effective (-0.13% (95%CI: -0.25, -0.02, I(2) 55%)). One out of 2,387 gliclazide users experienced a severe hypoglycemic event, whilst also using insulin. There were 25 confirmed non-severe hypoglycemic events (2.2%) in 1,152 gliclazide users and 22 events (1.8%) in 1,163 patients in the comparator group (risk ratio 1.09 (95% CI: 0.20, 5.78, I² 77%)). Few studies reported differences in weight and none were designed to evaluate cardiovascular outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The methodological quality of randomized trials comparing gliclazide to other oral glucose lowering agents was poor and effect estimates on weight were limited by publication bias. The number of severe hypoglycemic episodes was extremely low, and gliclazide appears at least equally effective compared to other glucose lowering agents. None of the trials were designed for evaluating cardiovascular outcomes, which warrants attention in future randomized trials.

Effects of writing down the request for help: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Studies investigating interventions, aimed at improving patient satisfaction by exploring the patient's request for help, show conflicting results. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether writing down the request for help on a request card, prior to the consultation improves patient satisfaction. METHODS: This study was a single-blind randomized controlled trial, in which the patients were blinded to the intervention. Patients were recruited in two rural practices (five GPs) and one urban practice (four GPs) in The Netherlands. Consecutive patients with a new request for help were asked to participate. All patients received general information about patient satisfaction. After randomization, patients in the intervention group were asked to fill in a card with their request(s) for help; the general practitioners started the consultations with these questions. We used the 'Professional Care' subscale of the Consultation Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ) to examine the effect of the intervention on patient satisfaction. Secondary outcomes were patient satisfaction measured with the patient's VAS score, the GP's VAS score on satisfaction, consultation time, the other subscales of the CSQ, and the number of consultations during follow-up. RESULTS: There was no difference in patient satisfaction (CSQ, VAS) between both groups. We also did not find any differences between the other subscales of the CSQ. CONCLUSION: A beneficial effect of the use of a 'request card' by the patient on patient satisfaction of the consultation could not be demonstrated.

The midregional fragment of pro-A-type natriuretic peptide, blood pressure, and mortality in a prospective cohort study of patients with type 2 diabetes (ZODIAC-25).

OBJECTIVE: Evidence that midregional fragment of pro-A-type natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) is a marker of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes is limited. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the capabilities of MR-proANP in predicting mortality. We also investigated whether MR-proANP influences the relationship between blood pressure and mortality in old age. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In 1998, 1,143 primary care patients with type 2 diabetes participated in the ZODIAC study. Because blood was drawn for 867 patients (76%) and confounders were missing for 19 patients, the final study sample comprised 848 patients. After a follow-up time of 10 years, we used Cox proportional hazard models to evaluate the relationship between MR-proANP and (cardiovascular) mortality. Harrell C statistic was used to compare models with and without MR-proANP. The regression analyses were repeated without MR-proANP for patients aged older than 75 years. RESULTS: Median MR-proANP in the total study sample was 75 pmol/L (interquartile range, 48-124 pmol/L). During follow-up, 354 (42%) out of 848 patients had died, of whom 152 (43%) deaths were attributable to cardiovascular factors. MR-proANP was independently associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, irrespective of age. During old age, there was a significant inverse relationship between blood pressure and mortality. This relationship did not change after adjustment for MR-proANP. CONCLUSIONS: MR-proANP is independently associated with mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. MR-proANP did not influence the inverse relationship between blood pressure and mortality in elderly patients.

Orthostatic hypotension, diabetes, and falling in older patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Although orthostatic hypotension (OH) is more prevalent in old age, and in patients with diabetes, the prevalence of OH in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is unknown. AIM: To establish the prevalence of OH, and its association with falling, in home-dwelling older participants with and without type 2 diabetes. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study in primary care in the Netherlands. METHOD: A total of 352 patients with type 2 diabetes, and 211 without participated in this study. OH was defined as a fall in blood pressure of at least 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic after either 1 or 3 minutes in an upright position. Feelings of dizziness, light-headedness, or faintness during the standing period were documented as orthostatic complaints. Fall risk was assessed with a validated risk profile instrument. RESULTS: The prevalence of OH was 28% (95% CI = 24% to 33%) and 18% (95% CI = 13% to 23%) in participants with and without type 2 diabetes, respectively. OH was not related to falling, while the presence of orthostatic complaints in itself was associated with both previous fall incidents as well as a high fall risk, even after adjustment for OH. The adjusted odds ratios were 1.65 (95% CI = 1.00 to 2.72) and 8.21 (95% CI = 4.17 to 16.19), respectively. CONCLUSION: OH is highly prevalent in home-dwelling older people with and without type 2 diabetes. Those with orthostatic complaints had an increased risk for falling, whereas those with OH were not.

A prospective observational study of quality of diabetes care in a shared care setting: trends and age differences (ZODIAC-19).

OBJECTIVE: The Zwolle Outpatient Diabetes project Integrating Available Care (ZODIAC) study was initiated in 1998 to investigate the effects of shared care for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Netherlands, and to reduce the number of diabetes-related complications. Benchmarking the performance of diabetes care was and is an important aspect of this study. We aimed to investigate trends in diabetes care, within the ZODIAC study for a wide variety of quality indicators during a long follow-up period (1998-2008), with special interest for different age groups. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: Primary care, Zwolle, The Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with T2DM. METHODS: A dataset of quality measures was collected annually during the patient's visit to the practice nurse or general practitioner. Linear time trends from 1998 to 2008 were estimated using linear mixed models in which we adjusted for age and gender. Age was included in the model as a categorical variable: for each follow-up year all participants were categorised into the categories <60, 60-75 and >75 years. Differences in trends between the age categories were investigated by adding an interaction term to the model. RESULTS: The number of patients who were reported to participate increased in the period 1998-2008 from 1622 to 27 438. All quality indicators improved in this study, except for body mass index. The prevalence albuminuria decreased in an 11-year-period from 42% to 21%. No relevant differences between the trends for the three age categories were observed. During all years of follow-up, mean blood pressure and body mass index were the lowest and highest, respectively, in the group of patients <60 years (data not shown). CONCLUSIONS: Quality of diabetes care within the Dutch ZODIAC study, a shared care project, has considerably improved in the period 1998-2008. There were no relevant differences between trends across various age categories.

Can diabetes management be safely transferred to practice nurses in a primary care setting? A randomised controlled trial.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a primary care setting can be safely transferred to practice nurses. BACKGROUND: Because of the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the burden of caring for individual patients, the demand type 2 diabetes mellitus patients place on primary health care resources has become overwhelming. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. METHODS: The patients in the intervention group were cared for by practice nurses who treated glucose levels, blood pressure and lipid profile according to a specified protocol. The control group received conventional care from a general practitioner. The primary outcome measure was the mean decrease seen in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels at the end of the follow-up period (14 months). RESULTS: A total of 230 patients was randomised with 206 completing the study. The between-group differences with respect to reduction in HbA1c, blood pressure and lipid profile were not significant. Blood pressure decreased significantly in both groups; 7.4/3.2 mm Hg in the intervention group and 5.6/1.0 mm Hg in the control group. In both groups, more patients met the target values goals for lipid profile compared to baseline. In the intervention group, there was some deterioration in the health-related quality of life and an increase in diabetes-related symptoms. Patients being treated by a practice nurse were more satisfied with their treatment than those being treated by a general practitioner. CONCLUSION: Practice nurses achieved results, which were comparable to those achieved by a general practitioner with respect to clinical parameters with better patient satisfaction. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study shows that diabetes management in primary care can be safely transferred to practice nurses.

Self-monitoring of blood glucose: the use of the first or the second drop of blood.

OBJECTIVE: There is no general agreement regarding the use of the first or second drop of blood for glucose monitoring. This study investigated whether capillary glucose concentrations, as measured in the first and second drops of blood, differed ≥ 10% compared with a control glucose concentration in different situations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Capillary glucose concentrations were measured in two consecutive drops of blood in the following circumstances in 123 patients with diabetes: without washing hands, after exposing the hands to fruit, after washing the fruit-exposed hands, and during application of different amounts of external pressure around the finger. The results were compared with control measurements. RESULTS: Not washing hands led to a difference in glucose concentration of ≥ 10% in the first and in the second drops of blood in 11% and 4% of the participants, respectively. In fruit-exposed fingers, these differences were found in 88% and 11% of the participants, respectively. Different external pressures led to ≥ 10% differences in glucose concentrations in 5-13% of the participants. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend washing the hands with soap and water, drying them, and using the first drop of blood for self-monitoring of blood glucose. If washing hands is not possible, and they are not visibly soiled or exposed to a sugar-containing product, it is acceptable to use the second drop of blood after wiping away the first drop. External pressure may lead to unreliable readings.

Lower blood pressure associated with higher mortality in elderly diabetic patients (ZODIAC-12).

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the relationship between blood pressure over time and mortality in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DESIGN: prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: primary care, Zwolle, The Netherlands. SUBJECTS: patients with T2DM aged 60 years and older (n = 881). The cohort was divided into two age categories: 60-75 years and older than 75 years. METHODS: updated means for systolic, diastolic and pulse pressures were calculated after a median follow-up time of 9.8 years. These values were used as time-dependent covariates in a Cox proportional hazard model. Main outcome measures were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: all of the blood pressure measures were inversely related to all-cause mortality in elderly diabetic patients (>75 years). Furthermore, these relationships were specifically found in elderly patients treated with antihypertensive medication at baseline. A decrease of 10 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure led to a mortality increase of 22% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 13-31%], 30% [95% CI: 13%-46%] and 22% [95% CI: 11%-33%], respectively. In the low age group (60-75 years), no relationship was found between blood pressure and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: blood pressure is a marker for mortality in elderly T2DM patients; however, the relationship is inverse.