[Evaluation of a protocol to monitor cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients attended in primary care].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a primary care protocol for intensive monitoring of cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors in type-2 diabetes patients versus usual care.


METHODS
Randomised trial with clusters.


METHODS
Primary care clinics.


METHODS
Sixty family physicians.


METHODS
Participants were randomised between following a protocol of intensive monitoring of CVR factors and maintaining their habitual practice with DM2 patients. Follow-up lasted 12 months. Data on HbA1C, CVR factors and CVR were collected at the start of the study and at 12 months.


RESULTS
In all, 188 patients (94 intervention group and 94 control group) were included. At baseline measurement, CVR in control group (CG) was 36.3% (95% CI, 33.9%-38.6%); and in intervention group (IG), 35.9% (95% CI, 33.5%-38.4%), with no significant differences between groups. At one year, CVR in CG was 33.1% (95% CI, 30%-36.1%) and in IG 30.5% (95% CI, 27.8%-33.2%). The CVR difference between baseline and 1-year measurements was 2.9% (95% CI, 0.2%-5.7%) in CG and 5.4% (95% CI, 2.8%-7.1%) in IG.


CONCLUSIONS
Although improvement of CVR is greater in the IG, the difference between the two groups is not significant. The characteristics of the doctors chosen may have meant that the patients of the two groups received similar treatment.
Gosalbes Soler
Victoria
V
Medicina de Familia, Centro de Salud de Salvador Pau, Valencia, España. gosalbes@comv.es
Bonet Plá
Alvaro
A
Sanchis Doménech
Carlos
C
Fornos Garrigós
Antonio
A
Fluixá Carrascosa
Carlos
C
Ajenjo Navarro
Asunción
A
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors