International comparison of glycaemic control in people with type 1 diabetes: an update and extension.

AIMS: To update and extend a previous cross-sectional international comparison of glycaemic control in people with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Data were obtained for 520,392 children and adults with type 1 diabetes from 17 population and five clinic-based data sources in countries or regions between 2016 and 2020. Median HbA1c (IQR) and proportions of individuals with HbA1c < 58 mmol/mol (<7.5%), 58-74 mmol/mol (7.5-8.9%) and ≥75 mmol/mol (≥9.0%) were compared between populations for individuals aged <15, 15-24 and ≥25 years. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of HbA1c < 58 mmol/mol (<7.5%) relative to ≥58 mmol/mol (≥7.5%), stratified and adjusted for sex, age and data source. Where possible, changes in the proportion of individuals in each HbA1c category compared to previous estimates were calculated. RESULTS: Median HbA1c varied from 55 to 79 mmol/mol (7.2 to 9.4%) across data sources and age groups so a pooled estimate was deemed inappropriate. OR (95% CI) for HbA1c < 58 mmol/mol (<7.5%) were 0.91 (0.90-0.92) for women compared to men, 1.68 (1.65-1.71) for people aged <15 years and 0.81 (0.79-0.82) aged15-24 years compared to those aged ≥25 years. Differences between populations persisted after adjusting for sex, age and data source. In general, compared to our previous analysis, the proportion of people with an HbA1c  < 58 mmol/l (<7.5%) increased and proportions of people with HbA1c ≥ 75 mmol/mol (≥9.0%) decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Glycaemic control of type 1 diabetes continues to vary substantially between age groups and data sources. While some improvement over time has been observed, glycaemic control remains sub-optimal for most people with Type 1 diabetes.

The total prevalence of diagnosed diabetes and the quality of diabetes care for the adult population in Salten, Norway.

Objective: To assess the total prevalence of types 1 and 2 diabetes and to describe and compare cardiovascular risk factors, vascular complications and the quality of diabetes care in adults with types 1 and 2 diabetes in Salten, Norway. Research design and methods: Cross-sectional study including all patients with diagnosed diabetes in primary and specialist care in Salten, 2014 (population 80,338). Differences in cardiovascular risk factors, prevalence of vascular complications and attained treatment targets between diabetes types were assessed using regression analyses. Results: We identified 3091 cases of diabetes, giving a total prevalence in all age groups of 3.8%, 3.4% and 0.45% for types 2 and 1 diabetes, respectively. In the age group 30-89 years the prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 5.3%. Among 3027 adults aged 18 years and older with diabetes, 2713 (89.6%) had type 2 and 304 (10.0%) type 1 diabetes. The treatment target for haemoglobin A1c (⩽7.0%/53 mmol/mol) was reached in 61.1% and 22.5% of types 2 and 1 diabetes patients, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex and diabetes duration we found differences between patients with types 2 and 1 diabetes in mean haemoglobin A1c (7.1% vs. 7.5%, P<0.001), blood pressure (136/78 mmHg vs. 131/74 mmHg, P<0.001) and prevalence of coronary heart disease (23.1% vs. 15.8%, P<0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of diagnosed type 2 diabetes was slightly lower than anticipated. Glycaemic control was not satisfactory in the majority of patients with type 1 diabetes. Coronary heart disease was more prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Intravenous Immunomodulatory Nanoparticle Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: There are currently no definitive disease-modifying therapies for traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this study, we present a strong therapeutic candidate for TBI, immunomodulatory nanoparticles (IMPs), which ablate a specific subset of hematogenous monocytes (hMos). We hypothesized that prevention of infiltration of these cells into brain acutely after TBI would attenuate secondary damage and preserve anatomic and neurologic function. METHODS: IMPs, composed of US Food and Drug Administration-approved 500nm carboxylated-poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid, were infused intravenously into wild-type C57BL/6 mice following 2 different models of experimental TBI, controlled cortical impact (CCI), and closed head injury (CHI). RESULTS: IMP administration resulted in remarkable preservation of both tissue and neurological function in both CCI and CHI TBI models in mice. After acute treatment, there was a reduction in the number of immune cells infiltrating into the brain, mitigation of the inflammatory status of the infiltrating cells, improved electrophysiologic visual function, improved long-term motor behavior, reduced edema formation as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, and reduced lesion volumes on anatomic examination. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that IMPs are a clinically translatable acute intervention for TBI with a well-defined mechanism of action and beneficial anatomic and physiologic preservation and recovery. Ann Neurol 2020;87:442-455.

Factors associated with potential over- and undertreatment of hyperglycaemia and annual measurement of HbA1c in type 2 diabetes in norwegian general practice.

AIMS: To identify individual and general practitioner (GP) characteristics associated with potential over- and undertreatment of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes and with HbA1c not being measured. METHODS: A cross-sectional study that included 10233 individuals with type 2 diabetes attending 282 GPs. Individuals with an HbA1c measurement during the last 15 months were categorized as potentially overtreated if they were prescribed a sulphonylurea and/or insulin when the HbA1c was less than 53 mmol/mol (7%) when aged over 75 years or less than 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) when aged between 65 and 75 years. Potential undertreatment was defined as age less than 60 years and HbA1c > 64 mmol/mol (8.0%) or HbA1c > 69 mmol/mol (8.5%) and treated with lifestyle modification and/or monotherapy. We used multilevel binary and multinominal logistic regression models to examine associations. RESULTS: Overall, 4.1% were potentially overtreated, 7.8% were potentially undertreated and 11% did not have HbA1c measured. Characteristics associated with potential overtreatment were as follows: long diabetes duration, prescribed antihypertensive medication, cardiovascular disease and renal failure. Potential undertreatment was associated with male gender, non-western origin and low educational level. Characteristics associated with not having an HbA1c measurement performed were male gender, age < 50 years and cardiovascular diseases. GP specialist status and GPs' use of a Noklus diabetes application reduced the risk of not having an HbA1c measurement performed. CONCLUSION: Potential overtreatment in elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes was relatively low. Nevertheless, appropriate de-intensification or intensification of treatment and regular HbA1c measurement in identified subgroups is warranted.

Factors associated with treatment in primary versus specialist care: A population-based study of people with type 2 and type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: The objectives of this study are to identify the proportion and characteristics of people with type 1 and 2 diabetes treated in primary, specialist and shared care and to identify the proportion of persons with type 2 diabetes reaching HbA1c treatment targets and the clinical risk factors and general practitioner and practice characteristics associated with treatment in specialist care. METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional study including all adults ≥18 years diagnosed with diabetes in primary and specialist care in Salten, Norway. We used multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression models with level of care as outcome variable and population, general practitioner, and practice characteristics as exposure variables. RESULTS: Of 2704 people with type 2 diabetes, 13.5% were treated in shared care and 2.1% in specialist care only. Of 305 people with type 1 diabetes, 14.4% received treatment in primary care only. The HbA1c treatment target of 53 mmol/mol (7.0%) was reached by 67.3% of people with type 2 diabetes in primary care versus 30.4% in specialist care. HbA1c , use of insulin, coronary heart disease, retinopathy and urban practice location were positively associated with treatment in specialist care. General practitioners' use of a structured form and a diabetes nurse were negatively associated with specialist care. CONCLUSIONS: Of people with type 2 diabetes, 16% were treated in specialist care. They had higher HbA1c and more vascular complications, as expected from priority guidelines. The use of a structured diabetes form and diabetes nurses seem to support type 2 diabetes follow-up in primary care.

High adherence to recommended diabetes follow-up procedures by general practitioners is associated with lower estimated cardiovascular risk.

AIMS: To explore whether the general practitioners' (GPs') performance of recommended processes of care was associated with estimated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and poor glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study from Norwegian general practice including 6015 people with type 2 diabetes <75 years old, without CVD and their 275 GPs. The GPs were split into quintiles based on each GP's average performance of six recommended processes of care. The quintiles were the exposure variable in multilevel regression models with 10-year risk of cardiovascular events estimated by NORRISK 2 (total and modifiable fraction) and poor glycaemic control (HbA1c >69 mmol/mol (>8.5%)) as outcome variables. RESULTS: The mean total and modifiable estimated 10-year CVD risk was 12.3% and 3.3%, respectively. Compared with patients of GPs in the highest-performing quintile, patients treated by GPs in the lowest quintile had an adjusted total and modifiable CVD risk that was 1.88 (95% CI 1.17-2.60) and 1.78 (1.14-2.41) percent point higher. This represents a relative mean difference of 16.6% higher total and 74.8% higher modifiable risk among patients of GPs in the lowest compared with the highest quintile. For patients with GPs in the lowest-performing quintile, the adjusted odds of poor glycaemic control was 1.77 (1.27-2.46) times higher than that for patients with a GP in the highest quintile. CONCLUSIONS: We found a pattern of lower CVD risk and better glycaemic control in patients of GPs performing more recommended diabetes processes of care.

Chest radiograph at admission predicts early intubation among inpatient COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) results in a wide range of clinical severity and there remains a need for prognostic tools which identify patients at risk of rapid deterioration and who require critical care. Chest radiography (CXR) is routinely obtained at admission of COVID-19 patients. However, little is known regarding correlates between CXR severity and time to intubation. We hypothesize that the degree of opacification on CXR at time of admission independently predicts need and time to intubation. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed COVID-19 patients who were admitted to an urban medical center during March 2020 that had a CXR performed on the day of admission. CXRs were divided into 12 lung zones and were assessed by two blinded thoracic radiologists. A COVID-19 opacification rating score (CORS) was generated by assigning one point for each lung zone in which an opacity was observed. Underlying comorbidities were abstracted and assessed for association. RESULTS: One hundred forty patients were included in this study and 47 (34%) patients required intubation during the admission. Patients with CORS ≥ 6 demonstrated significantly higher rates of early intubation within 48 h of admission and during the hospital stay (ORs 24 h, 19.8, p < 0.001; 48 h, 28.1, p < 0.001; intubation during hospital stay, 6.1, p < 0.0001). There was no significant correlation between CORS ≥ 6 and age, sex, BMI, or any underlying cardiac or pulmonary comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: CORS ≥ 6 at the time of admission predicts need for intubation, with significant increases in intubation at 24 and 48 h, independent of comorbidities. KEY POINTS: • Chest radiography at the time of admission independently predicts time to intubation within 48 h and during the hospital stay in COVID-19 patients. • More opacities on chest radiography are associated with several fold increases in early mechanical ventilation among COVID-19 patients. • Chest radiography is useful in identifying COVID-19 patients whom may rapidly deteriorate and help inform clinical management as well as hospital bed and ventilation allocation.

Availability and analytical quality of hemoglobin A1c point-of-care testing in general practitioners' offices are associated with better glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.

Background It is not clear if point-of-care (POC) testing for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is associated with glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we linked general practitioner (GP) data on 22,778 Norwegian type 2 diabetes patients to data from the Norwegian Organization for Quality Improvement of Laboratory Examinations. We used general and generalized linear mixed models to investigate if GP offices' availability (yes/no) and analytical quality of HbA1c POC testing (average yearly "trueness score", 0-4), as well as frequency of participation in HbA1c external quality assurance (EQA) surveys, were associated with patients' HbA1c levels during 2014-2017. Results Twenty-eight out of 393 GP offices (7%) did not perform HbA1c POC testing. After adjusting for confounders, their patients had on average 0.15% higher HbA1c levels (95% confidence interval (0.04-0.27) (1.7 mmol/mol [0.5-2.9]). GP offices participating in one or two yearly HbA1c EQA surveys, rather than the maximum of four, had patients with on average 0.17% higher HbA1c levels (0.06, 0.28) (1.8 mmol/mol [0.6, 3.1]). For each unit increase in the GP offices' HbA1c POC analytical trueness score, the patients' HbA1c levels were lower by 0.04% HbA1c (-0.09, -0.001) (-0.5 mmol/mol [-1.0, -0.01]). Conclusions Novel use of validated patient data in combination with laboratory EQA data showed that patients consulting GPs in offices that perform HbA1c POC testing, participate in HbA1c EQA surveys, and maintain good analytical quality have lower HbA1c levels. Accurate HbA1c POC results, available during consultations, may improve diabetes care.

Effect of a telemedicine intervention for diabetes-related foot ulcers on health, well-being and quality of life: secondary outcomes from a cluster randomized controlled trial (DiaFOTo).

BACKGROUND: Follow-up care provided via telemedicine (TM) is intended to be a more integrated care pathway to manage diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFU) than traditionally-delivered healthcare. However, knowledge of the effect of TM follow-up on PROMs including self-reported health, well-being and QOL in patients with DFUs is lacking and often neglected in RCT reports in general. Therefore, in this study of secondary outcomes from the DiaFOTo trial, the aim was to compare changes in self-reported health, well-being and QOL between patients with DFUs receiving telemedicine follow-up care in primary healthcare in collaboration with specialist healthcare, and patients receiving standard outpatient care. METHODS: The current study reports secondary endpoints from a cluster randomized controlled trial whose primary endpoint was ulcer healing time. The trial included 182 adults with diabetes-related foot ulcers (94/88 in the telemedicine/standard care groups) in 42 municipalities/districts, recruited from three clinical sites in Western Norway. Mean (SD) diabetes duration for the study population was 20.8 (15.0). The intervention group received care in the community in collaboration with specialist healthcare using an asynchronous telemedicine intervention. The intervention included an interactive web-based ulcer record and a mobile phone enabling counseling and communication between the community nurses and specialist healthcare; the control group received standard outpatient care. In total 156 participants (78/78) reported on secondary endpoints: self-reported health, well-being and quality of life evaluated by generic and disease-specific patient-reported outcome measures (e.g. Euro-QOL, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID), Neuropathy and Foot Ulcer-Specific Quality of Life Instrument (NeuroQOL)). Linear mixed-effects regression was used to investigate possible differences in changes in the scores between the intervention and control group at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: In intention to treat analyses, differences between treatment groups were small and non-significant for the health and well-being scale scores, as well as for diabetes-related distress and foot ulcer-specific quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in changes in scores for the patient reported outcomes between the intervention and control group, indicating that the intervention did not affect the participants' health, well-being and quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov , NCT01710774 . Registered October 19th, 2012.

Fibronectin EDA forms the chronic fibrotic scar after contusive spinal cord injury.

Gliosis and fibrosis after spinal cord injury (SCI) lead to formation of a scar that is an impediment to axonal regeneration. Fibrotic scarring is characterized by the accumulation of fibronectin, collagen, and fibroblasts at the lesion site. The mechanisms regulating fibrotic scarring after SCI and its effects on axonal elongation and functional recovery are not well understood. In this study, we examined the effects of eliminating an isoform of fibronectin containing the Extra Domain A domain (FnEDA) on both fibrosis and on functional recovery after contusion SCI using male and female FnEDA-null mice. Eliminating FnEDA did not reduce the acute fibrotic response but markedly diminished chronic fibrotic scarring after SCI. Glial scarring was unchanged after SCI in FnEDA-null mice. We found that FnEDA was important for the long-term stability of the assembled fibronectin matrix during both the subacute and chronic phases of SCI. Motor functional recovery was significantly improved, and there were increased numbers of axons in the lesion site compared to wildtype mice, suggesting that the chronic fibrotic response is detrimental to recovery. Our data provide insight into the mechanisms of fibrosis after SCI and suggest that disruption of fibronectin matrix stability by targeting FnEDA represents a potential therapeutic strategy for promoting recovery after SCI.

Are general practitioners characteristics associated with the quality of type 2 diabetes care in general practice? Results from the Norwegian ROSA4 study from 2014.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the associations between general practitioners (GPs) characteristics such as gender, specialist status, country of birth and country of graduation and the quality of care for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: The 277 GPs provided care for 10082 patients with T2DM in Norway in 2014. The GPs characteristics were self-reported: 55% were male, 68% were specialists in General Practice, 82% born in Norway and 87% had graduated in Western Europe. Of patients, 81% were born in Norway and 8% in South Asia. Data regarding diabetes care were obtained from electronic medical records and manually verified. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Performance of recommended screening procedures, prescribed medication and level of HbA1c, blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol stratified according to GPs characteristics, adjusted for patient and GP characteristics. RESULT: Female GPs, specialists, GPs born in Norway and GPs who graduated in Western Europe performed recommended procedures more frequently than their counterparts. Specialists achieved lower mean HbA1c (7.14% vs. 7.25%, p < 0.01), a larger proportion of their patients achieved good glycaemic control (HbA1c = 6.0%-7.0%) (49.1% vs. 44.4%, p = 0.018) and lower mean systolic blood pressure (133.0 mmHg vs. 134.7 mmHg, p < 0.01) compared with non-specialists. GPs who graduated in Western Europe achieved lower diastolic blood pressure than their counterparts (76.6 mmHg vs. 77.8 mmHg, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Several quality indicators for type 2 diabetes care were better if the GPs were specialists in General Practice. Key Points Research on associations between General Practitioners (GPs) characteristics and quality of care for patients with type 2 diabetes is limited. Specialists in General Practice performed recommended procedures more frequently, achieved better HbA1c and blood pressure levels than non-specialists. GPs who graduated in Western Europe performed screening procedures more frequently and achieved lower diastolic blood pressure compared with their counterparts. There were few significant differences in the quality of care between GP groups according to their gender and country of birth.

Intravenous immune-modifying nanoparticles as a therapy for spinal cord injury in mice.

Intravenously infused synthetic 500nm nanoparticles composed of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) are taken up by blood-borne inflammatory monocytes via a macrophage scavenger receptor (macrophage receptor with collagenous structure), and the monocytes no longer traffic to sites of inflammation. Intravenous administration of the nanoparticles after experimental spinal cord injury in mice safely and selectively limited infiltration of hematogenous monocytes into the injury site. The nanoparticles did not bind to resident microglia, and did not change the number of microglia in the injured spinal cord. Nanoparticle administration reduced M1 macrophage polarization and microglia activation, reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines, and markedly reduced fibrotic scar formation without altering glial scarring. These findings thus implicate early-infiltrating hematogenous monocytes as highly selective contributors to fibrosis that do not play an indispensable role in gliosis after SCI. Further, the nanoparticle treatment reduced accumulation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, increased axon density inside and caudal to the lesion site, and significantly improved functional recovery after both moderate and severe injuries to the spinal cord. These data provide further evidence that hematogenous monocytes contribute to inflammatory damage and fibrotic scar formation after spinal cord injury in mice. Further, since the nanoparticles are simple to administer intravenously, immunologically inert, stable at room temperature, composed of an FDA-approved material, and have no known toxicity, these findings suggest that the nanoparticles potentially offer a practical treatment for human spinal cord injury.

Glycemic control and complications in patients with type 1 diabetes - a registry-based longitudinal study of adolescents and young adults.

OBJECTIVE: The main aims of this study were to assess longitudinal glycemic control and the prevalence of retinopathy and nephropathy in young people (aged 14-30 yr) with type 1 diabetes in Norway. METHOD: Data on 874 patients were obtained by linking two nationwide, population-based medical quality registries: The Norwegian Diabetes Register for Adults and The Norwegian Childhood Diabetes Registry. RESULTS: Median age was 23 yr, median diabetes duration 9 yr and 51% were male. Median HbA1c increased through adolescence to peak at ages of 17 yr for females and 19 yr for males, females had higher HbA1c than males: 9.3% (78 mmol/mol) vs. 9.1% (76 mmol/mol). Subsequently, median HbA1c declined but was still >8% (>64 mmol/mol) for patients approaching 30 yr. Half of the patients aged 14-17 yr and 40% of patients aged 18-25 yr had HbA1c >9% (75 mmol/mol). Retinopathy was found in 16% and nephropathy in 13% of the population. Patients transferring from the pediatric department to adult care between the ages of 14 and 17 yr had higher median HbA1c and prevalence of late complications than those transferring at ages 18-22 yr. Less than 40% of patients with albuminuria were treated with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blocker. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that treatment of adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes in Norway is not optimal, especially for patients in their late teens. We suggest that pediatricians and endocrinologists should critically assess the care offered to this group and consider new approaches to help them improve glycemic control.

Feasibility of using self-reported patient data in a national diabetes register.

BACKGROUND: In order to improve recruitment of patients to the Norwegian diabetes register for adults, a questionnaire was designed to collect data directly from patients. The main aim of this study was to assess the agreement of questionnaire data with data reported to the Register from health care personnel during routine consultations. METHODS: Patient data were obtained by sending a questionnaire with 27 of the 41 Register variables to 3714 members of the Norwegian Diabetes Association. Questionnaire data were compared with data already in the Register. Paired t-tests, percentages of total agreement, percentages of "positive" answers and kappa coefficients (k) were used for comparing data. RESULTS: Of the 1645 replies (44.3 %), the Register already had data on 324 patients for comparison. Response rate for most variables was better from patients (ranging from 76-100 %) compared with health care professionals (33-100 %). For 17 of 25 assessable variables including diabetes duration, height, weight, HbA1c, drug treatment and several diabetes complications, agreement was substantial or better with kappa >0.60. Data on family history of premature heart disease (k-0.59), foot examination (k = 0.26), foot ulcer (k = 0.32) and arterial surgery (k = 0.24) seemed to be difficult to answer by patients, whereas data on physical activity and self-monitoring of glucose seemed to be better when reported by patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patient response rate was acceptable, and data had good concordance with data from health care professionals for most variables. However, registers using patient questionnaires should compare questionnaire data with data from professionals at regular intervals.

Diabetes Distress and Associations With Demographic and Clinical Variables: A Nationwide Population-Based Registry Study of 10,186 Adults With Type 1 Diabetes in Norway.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate diabetes distress prevalence and associations with demographic and clinical variables among adults with type 1 diabetes in Norway. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this nationwide population-based registry study, the 20-item Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID-20) questionnaire was sent to 16,255 adults with type 1 diabetes. Linear regression models examined associations of demographic and clinical variables with distress. RESULTS: In total, 10,186 individuals (62.7%) completed the PAID-20, with a mean score of 25.4 (SD 18.4) and 21.7% reporting high distress. Respondents endorsed worrying about the future and complications as the most problematic item (23.0%). Female sex, younger age, non-European origin, primary education only, unemployment, smoking, continuous glucose monitoring use, more symptomatic hypoglycemia, reduced foot sensitivity, treated retinopathy, and higher HbA1c were associated with higher distress. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes distress is common among adults with type 1 diabetes and associated with clinically relevant factors, underlining that regular care should include efforts to identify and address distress.

Pharmacological primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention among diabetic patients in a multiethnic general practice population: still room for improvements.

BACKGROUND: Ethnic minority groups have higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We assessed general practitioners' (GPs') performance with respect to the pharmacological prevention of CVD in patients with T2DM from different ethnic backgrounds in Oslo. METHODS: Of 1653 T2DM patients cared for by 49 GPs in 2005, 380 had a diagnosis of CVD. Ethnicity was categorized as Norwegian, South Asian and other. Risk factor levels, medication use, achievement of treatment targets (HbA1c ≤ 7.5%, systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≤ 140 mmHg, total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol < 4) and therapeutic intensity (number of drugs targeting each risk factor) were recorded. Chi-square, Wald tests and multiple linear regression analyses were used. RESULTS: Of the 1273 patients receiving primary prevention, 1.5% had their Hb1Ac, 4.8% SBP and 12.7% lipids levels above treatment thresholds without relevant prescriptions. Among patients on pharmacological therapy, 66% reached the HbA1c, 62% SBP and 62% lipid target. Proportions not achieving the HbA1c target were 26% in Norwegians, 38% in South Asians and 29% in others (p = 0.008). Proportions not achieving the SBP target were 42% in Norwegians, 22% in South Asians and 25% in others (p ≤ 0.001). Of those not achieving the HbA1c and SBP targets, 43% and 35% respectively, used only one agent. CONCLUSIONS: Norwegian GPs comply reasonably well with guidelines for pharmacological prevention of CVD in T2DM patients across ethnic groups. However, lipid-lowering therapy was generally underused, and the achievement of treatment targets for HbA1c in ethnic minorities and for BP in Norwegians could be improved.

Treatment of type 1 diabetes in the specialist health service--data from the Norwegian Diabetes Register for Adults.

BACKGROUND: The Norwegian Diabetes Register for Adults was established in 2005. The aim of the study is to assess the quality of treatment for adult patients with type 1 diabetes in the specialist health service based on register data. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We included patients ≥ 18 years with type 1 diabetes in the specialist health service for whom the register has data for the period from 1 July 2010-to 31 December 2011. The patients were asked to consent to the transfer of data to the register when they attended a routine consultation. As of 31 December 2011, 95% of the patients asked gave their consent. It is not known how large a proportion of patients were asked. RESULTS: We included the last registered data for 3,697 patients (46.8% women) from 24 outpatient clinics and specialist centres. The average age was 41.8 years and the average duration of diabetes was 20.8 years. Median HbA1c, systolic blood pressure and LDL cholesterol were 8.0%, 126 mm Hg and 2.8 mmol/l respectively. 9.8% achieved all treatment targets set out in the national guidelines for diabetes. 18% had HbA1c ≤ 7.0%, while 22% had HbA1c ≥ 9%. 39% of patients on statin therapy achieved the treatment target for LDL cholesterol. 19.6% smoked on a daily basis. 14.9% had received treatment for retinopathy and 5.8% had experienced coronary heart disease. There was no record of foot examination or ophthalmoscopy being performed in 33% and 29% of patients. INTERPRETATION: The preliminary register data indicate that diabetes treatment should be improved both with respect to the implementation of recommended procedures and the proportion of patients who achieve the treatment targets.

Level of education is associated with coronary heart disease and chronic kidney disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a population-based study.

INTRODUCTION: To study the relationship between education level and vascular complications in individuals with type 2 diabetes in Norway. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Multiregional population-based cross-sectional study of individuals with type 2 diabetes in primary care. Data were extracted from electronic medical records in the period 2012-2014. Information on education level was obtained from Statistics Norway. Using multivariable multilevel regression analyses on imputed data we analyzed the association between education level and vascular complications. We adjusted for age, sex, HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking and diabetes duration. Results are presented as ORs and 95% CIs. RESULTS: Of 8192 individuals with type 2 diabetes included, 34.0% had completed compulsory education, 49.0% upper secondary education and 16.9% higher education. The prevalence of vascular complications in the three education groups was: coronary heart disease 25.9%, 23.0% and 16.9%; stroke 9.6%, 7.4% and 6.6%; chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) 23.9%, 16.8% and 12.6%; and retinopathy 13.9%, 11.5% and 11.7%, respectively. Higher education was associated with lower odds for coronary heart disease (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.49 to 0.71) and chronic kidney disease (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.93) compared with compulsory education when adjusting for age, sex, HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking and diabetes duration. CONCLUSIONS: In a country with equal access to healthcare, high education level was associated with lower odds for coronary heart disease and chronic kidney disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Variation between general practitioners in type 2 diabetes processes of care.

AIMS: To explore variation in general practitioners' (GPs') performance of six recommended procedures in type 2 diabetes patients <75 years without cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of quality of diabetes care in Norway based on electronic health records from 2014. GPs (clustered in practices) were divided in quintiles based on a composite measure of performance of six processes of care. We fitted a multilevel partial ordinal regression model to identify GP factors associated with being in quintiles with better performance. RESULTS: We identified 6015 type 2 diabetes patients from 275 GPs in 77 practices. The GPs performed on average 63.4% of the procedures; on average 46% in the poorest quintile to 81% in the best quintile with a larger range in individual GPs. After adjustments, use of a structured follow-up form was associated with GPs being in upper three quintiles (OR 12.4 (95% CI 2.37-65.1). Routines for reminders were associated with being in a better quintile (OR 2.6 (1.37-4.92). GPs' age >60 years and heavier workload were associated with poorer performance. CONCLUSION: We found large variations in GPs' performance of processes of care. Factors reflecting structure and workload were strongly associated with performance.

Quality of care for patients with type 2 diabetes in general practice according to patients' ethnic background: a cross-sectional study from Oslo, Norway.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades immigration to Norway from Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe has increased rapidly. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of care for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients from these ethnic minority groups compared with the care received by Norwegians. METHODS: In 2006, electronic medical record data were screened at 11 practices (49 GPs; 58857 patients). 1653 T2DM patients cared for in general practice were identified. Ethnicity was defined as self-reported country of birth. Chi-squared tests, one-way ANOVAs, multiple regression, linear mixed effect models and generalized linear mixed models were used. RESULTS: Diabetes was diagnosed at a younger age in patients from the ethnic minority groups (South Asians (SA): mean age 44.9 years, Middle East/North Africa (MENA): 47.2 years, East Asians (EA): 52.0 years, others: 49.0 years) compared with Norwegians (59.7 years, p < 0.001). HbA1c, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and s-cholesterol were measured in >85% of patients in all groups with minor differences between minority groups and Norwegians. A greater proportion of the minority groups were prescribed hypoglycaemic medications compared with Norwegians (>or=79% vs. 72%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, gender, diabetes duration, practice and physician unit, HbA1c (geometric mean) for Norwegians was 6.9% compared to 7.3-7.5% in the minority groups (p < 0.05). The proportion with poor glycaemic control (HbA1c > 9%) was higher in minority groups (SA: 19.6%, MENA: 18.9% vs. Norwegians: 5.6%, p < 0.001. No significant ethnic differences were found in the proportions reaching the combined target: HbA1c