Variation in diabetes care by age: opportunities for customization of care.
BACKGROUND
The quality of diabetes care provided to older adults has usually been judged to be poor, but few data provide direct comparison to other age groups. In this study, we hypothesized that adults age 65 and over receive lower quality diabetes care than adults age 45-64 years old.


METHODS
We conducted a cohort study of members of a health plan cared for by multiple medical groups in Minnesota. Study subjects were a random sample of 1109 adults age 45 and over with an established diagnosis of diabetes using a diabetes identification method with estimated sensitivity 0.91 and positive predictive value 0.94. Survey data (response rate 86.2%) and administrative databases were used to assess diabetes severity, glycemic control, quality of life, microvascular and macrovascular risks and complications, preventive care, utilization, and perceptions of diabetes.


RESULTS
Compared to those aged 45-64 years (N = 627), those 65 and older (N = 482) had better glycemic control, better health-related behaviors, and perceived less adverse impacts of diabetes on their quality of life despite longer duration of diabetes and a prevalence of cardiovascular disease twice that of younger patients. Older patients did not ascribe heart disease to their diabetes. Younger adults often had explanatory models of diabetes that interfere with effective and aggressive care, and accessed care less frequently. Overall, only 37% of patients were simultaneously up-to-date on eye exams, foot exams, and glycated hemoglobin (A1c) tests within one year.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate the need for further improvement in diabetes care for all patients, and suggest that customisation of care based on age and explanatory models of diabetes may be an improvement strategy that merits further evaluation.
HealthPartners Research Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. patrick.j.oconnor@healthpartners.com
Patrick J
PJ
O'Connor
Jay R
JR
Desai
Leif I
LI
Solberg
William A
WA
Rush
Donald B
DB
Bishop
D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000453:epidemiology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin