Outcomes of pharmacist-managed diabetes care services in a community health center.
OBJECTIVE
The outcomes of pharmacist-managed diabetes care services in a community health center were studied.


METHODS
Eligible patients were over age 18 years and had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients were randomly assigned by the clinical pharmacist and nurse to the intervention group (n = 76) or control group (n = 73). Patients in the intervention group were enrolled in a pharmacist-managed diabetes care program. Patients in the control group received the standard diabetes care. The primary endpoint was reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)); secondary outcome measures included weight loss, an improved body mass index, decreased blood pressure, and an improved lipid panel. Quality-of-life measures (health level, satisfaction, impact, worry about disease, and worry about social and vocational issues) were also assessed.


RESULTS
Demographic differences between groups were not remarkable. Mean HbA(1c) levels fell significantly (p < 0.05) from baseline to nine months in both groups. A difference of 1.0 was reported between the groups' HbA(1c) levels (95% confidence interval, 0.08-1.78; p < 0.05). Satisfaction level improved from 63.7 to 77.4 in the intervention group, which was significant when compared with the control group, whose satisfaction score improved from 57.0 to 63.4 (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who received pharmacist-managed diabetes care demonstrated improved HbA(1c), systolic blood pressure, and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels and quality-of-life measures and met treatment goals more often than patients receiving standard care.
Scott
David M
DM
Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA. david.scott@ndsu.edu
Boyd
Steven T
ST
Stephan
Michelle
M
Augustine
Sam C
SC
Reardon
Thomas P
TP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003151:Community Health Centers; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role; D016896:Treatment Outcome