[Risk intervention in persons with diabetes mellitus in general practice].
BACKGROUND
Intervention against cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia and smoking is necessary to reduce the increased mortality associated with diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
The case notes of 2003 patients with diabetes in general practice in Rogaland, Salten and Aker were reviewed in order to assess the quality of diabetes care including the treatment of risk factors for cardiovascular disease.


RESULTS
287 out of 1417 patients below the age of 76 had known cardiovascular disease. Of these, 57.5% were treated with a statin and 61 % were taking aspirin. 118 patients had had a myocardial infarction, 69.5% were on a statin and 60.2% were taking aspirin. 776 (38.7%) of the patients in the study had been diagnosed as suffering from hypertension, 40.3% were on therapy with one anti-hypertensive agent, 28.6% received two agents and 12.1% were on three or more anti-hypertensive agents. Only 57.5% of patients, who according to current national guidelines ought to be on a statin as secondary prevention, received such a treatment. Smoking habits were recorded in 35.1% and weight in 45 % of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
There is considerable room for improvement with regard to intervention against known risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes treated in primary care.
Claudi
Tor
T
Rønvik Legesenter, 8012 Bodø. tclaudi@online.no
Cooper
John G
JG
Hausken
Marie Fjelde
MF
Michaelsen
Tore
T
Harboe
Knut
K
Ingskog
Wibeche
W
ØStrem
Anders
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000074606:Smoking Prevention
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D001241:Aspirin