An intensive nurse-led, multi-interventional clinic is more successful in achieving vascular risk reduction targets than standard diabetes care.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this research was to determine whether an intensive, nurse-led clinic could achieve recommended vascular risk reduction targets in patients with type 2 diabetes as compared to standard diabetes management.


METHODS
Two hundred patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited to receive either intensive nurse-led or standard diabetes care in a 1-year open study.


RESULTS
In each group 94 patients completed the study. The groups were matched for age and baseline HbA1c, blood pressure and lipid profiles. More patients in the intensive group achieved vascular risk targets than in the standard group: SBP (<130 mmHg) 33 versus 12.1%, (P < 0.001); DBP (<80 mmHg) 75.5 versus 40.2%, (P < 0.001); cholesterol (<4.8 mmol/L) 84.8 versus 63.6% (P = 0.003); LDL (<2.6 mmol/L) 73.4 versus 54.5% (P = 0.007); HbA1c (<6.5%) 53.2 versus 32.9% (P = 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
An intensive nurse-led clinic is more successful in achieving vascular risk targets than standard diabetes care.
Academic Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital/RCSI Medical School, Beaumont Road, Dublin 9, Ireland. jacquelinemacmahon@beaumont.ie
J
J
MacMahon Tone
A
A
Agha
M
M
Sherlock
F
F
Finucane
W
W
Tormey
C J
CJ
Thompson
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin