[Quality of diabetes care in Norwegian general practice].
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of diabetes is increasing. Good diabetes care reduces macro and microvascular complications. Quality of care was assessed against predefined review criteria based on key recommendations in national guidelines


METHODS
A cross-sectional study from four geographical areas in Norway, with electronic identification of all patients with diabetes mellitus and extraction of data from electronic patient records. All data were manually validated.


RESULTS
6892 patients with diabetes were identified, 5817 were cared for by the GPs and included in the study. 354 (6.0%) were classified as having type 1 diabetes and 5463 (94.0%) as type 2. For patients with type 1 mean Hb A1c was 7.8% and mean blood pressure 129/76 mm Hg; for type 2 the results were 7.1% and 139/79 mmHg. Among patients with type 2 diabetes and known cardiovascular disease, 69.7% were treated with statins and 60.6% with acetylsalicylic acid. About 90% of the study population had measured Hb A1c , blood pressure and lipids annually. 71% of patients with type 2 diabetes were referred to eye examination, smoking habits and weight were recorded in 57 and 54 % and urine albumin in 40% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The quality of care had improved substantially in 2005 from five and 10 years ago (when similar studies were performed), although 80 % of patients did not reach the combined treatment targets for Hb A1c , systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol.
Claudi
Tor
T
Medisinsk avdeling, Nordlandssykehuset, 8092 Bodø. tclaudi@online.no
Ingskog
Wibeche
W
Cooper
John G
JG
Jenum
Anne Karen
AK
Hausken
Marie Fjelde
MF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin