Diabetic patients in primary health care--quality of care three years apart.
OBJECTIVE
To compare registering of diabetic complications and metabolic control in diabetic subjects in primary health care in 1992 and 1995.


METHODS
Cross-sectional surveys of medical records.


METHODS
Three community health centres in Stockholm County.


METHODS
Diabetic patients aged 18-84 years in 1992 (n = 177) and in 1995 (n = 413).


METHODS
Rate of noted diabetic complications and metabolic values.


RESULTS
Retinopathy examination was noted in 64% in 1992 versus 65% in 1995, neuropathy examination in 44 versus 49%, and urine examination in 88% versus 73% (p < 0.001). HbA1c was examined in 52% in 1992 versus 68% (p < 0.001) in 1995, fasting blood glucose in 89 versus 90%, and cholesterol in 34 versus 42%. Acceptable HbA1c values were noted in 51% in 1992 versus 46% in 1995. Smoking habits were available in 26% in 1992 versus 53% in 1995 (p < 0.001) and BMI in 5 versus 39% (p < 0.001). Diabetic blindness was present in 2.2% in 1995, uraemia in 0.3%, and amputation due to gangrene in 1.2%.


CONCLUSIONS
Documented examination rates of diabetic patients are unacceptably low, and the metabolic level unsatisfactory in most cases. Severe complications are, however, rare.
Wändell
P E
PE
Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Family Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden.
Brorsson
B
B
Aberg
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013548:Sweden