[Evaluation of the effectiveness of metabolic self-control through direct dispensation of diagnostic strips to type 2 diabetic patients].
OBJECTIVE
To perform an evaluation of the effectiveness of diagnostic strips in metabolic control by type 2 diabetics.


METHODS
A crossover, observational study.


METHODS
Primary Health Care.


METHODS
A sample of 400 histories at a Primary Care Centre (PCC), representative of Diabetes 2 patients who used reactive strips directly dispensed at PCCs as a method of home self-analysis of their disease, was evaluated. They were monitored in 1995 and 1996 in the seven health districts in the Primary Care region of Tortosa.


RESULTS
The use of reactive strips was considered effective if the data recorded in the PCC histories satisfied the criteria for acceptable metabolic control, as defined by the GEDAPS, for the previous year of monitoring, or for at least three months if the period of use of the strips was under a year. Mean annual cost and consumption per diabetic, and the evolution of these over the study period, were calculated.


CONCLUSIONS
Direct dispensing of reactive strips led to an important annual increase in cost (+46.59%) and consumption (+89.25%), but acceptable effectiveness was not demonstrated (1.10%).
Clua Espuny
J L
JL
Dirección de Atención Primaria Tortosa, Institut Català de la Salut.
Queralt Tomas
M L
ML
Castán Cameo
S
S
D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012646:Self Administration; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D011934:Reagent Strips
Evaluación de la efectividad en el autocontrol metabólico mediante la dispensación directa de tiras diagnósticas a los diabéticos tipo 2.