ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although the management of diabetes mellitus varies according to non medical factors, the influence of socioprofessional category has been not fully studied. This study compared the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in craftsmen or tradesmen with professionals categories. METHODS: All claims to the French National Sickness Insurance Fund for self-employed workers (AMPI) from its mainland France beneficiaries in 1998 were retrospectively analysed. Patients were beneficiaries, insured or dependants of craftsmen or tradesmen, or professionals receiving oral hypoglycemic drugs during a 3-month inclusion period. Patients were compared on the proportion of care received in private practice over the preceding 12 months using adjusted odds ratio (OR). RESULTS: Compared to patients in professionals (n=1,456), patients in craftsmen or tradesmen (n=35,703) were statistically more likely to see a general practitioner (OR 3.867, 95% CI=3.048; 4.907), to have blood glucose test (OR 1.530, 95% CI=1.332; 1.757) and serum creatinine assay (OR 1.207, 95% CI=1.052; 1.270). They were statistically less likely to consult or have a specialist procedure (ophthalmologist, OR 0.792, 95% CI=0.698; 0.900; cardiologist, OR 0.749, 95% CI=0.658; 0.852; dentist, OR 0.679, 95% CI=0.596; 0.773; endocrinologist, OR 0.522, 95% CI=0.424; 0.642), microalbuminuria test (OR 0.749, 95% CI=0.622; 0.902) and serum creatinine assay or microalbuminuria test (OR 0.746, 95% CI=0.611; 0.912). The two groups did not differ on HbA1c, blood lipid tests and electrocardiogram. CONCLUSIONS: The management of type 2 diabetes mellitus differed between craftsmen or tradesmen and professionals patients. These results should be confirmed.