Compliance with national guidelines in patients with diabetes in a family practice clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether clinicians are treating patients with both type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia according to national goals for blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and glucose levels.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
University-based family medicine teaching practice.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-four patients with both type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia.


RESULTS
Sixty-nine patients (58%) met the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel II's goals for LDL (< 130 mg/dl for primary prevention and < 100 mg/dl for secondary prevention). Only 47 patients (38%) were in compliance with national standards for both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The mean hemoglobin A1c (A1C) level was 8.6%; 27 patients (21.8%) had A1C levels below 7%.


CONCLUSIONS
A high percentage of patients in our family practice clinic met their goals for reducing lipid levels, but more aggressive therapy is necessary to attain glucose and blood pressure goals. Data from this study emphasize the need for understanding which factors influence clinicians' treatment decisions.
Kirk
Julienne K
JK
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1084, USA. jkirk@wfubmc.edu
Poirier
Jessica E
JE
Mattox
Michelle G
MG
Thomas
Perry M
PM
Michielutte
Robert
R
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies