title: Usefulness of electronic databases for the detection of unrecognized diabetic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Even mild hyperglycemia is associated with future acute and chronic complications. Nevertheless, many cases of diabetes in the community go unrecognized. The aim of the study was to determine if national electronic patient records could be used to identify patients with diabetes in a health management organization.
  
  
  METHODS
  The central district databases of Israel's largest health management organization were reviewed for all patients over 20 years old with a documented diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the chronic disease register or patient file (identified diabetic patients) or a fasting serum glucose level of >126 mg/100 ml according to the central laboratory records (suspected diabetic patients). The family physicians of the patients with suspected diabetes were asked for a report on their current diabetic status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The searches yielded 1,694 suspected diabetic patients; replies from the family physicians were received for 1,486. Of these, 575 (38.7%) were confirmed to have diabetes mellitus. Their addition to the identified patient group raised the relative rate of diabetic patients in the district by 3.2%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cross-referencing existing databases is an efficient, low-cost method for identifying hyperglycemic patients with unrecognized diabetes who require preventive treatment and follow-up. This model can be used to advantage in other clinical sites in Israel and elsewhere with fully computerized databases.
authors: Clalit Health Services, Central District, POB 15043 Rishon Le Zion 75232, Israel. vinker01@inter.net.il
authors: Shlomo
authors: S
authors: Vinker
authors: Yaacov
authors: Y
authors: Fogelman
authors: Asher
authors: A
authors: Elhayany
authors: Sasson
authors: S
authors: Nakar
authors: Ernesto
authors: E
authors: Kahan