title: Patients referred with type 2 diabetes remain in specialist care for a long period.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes are usually managed in general practice. The aim of this study was to describe the duration of contact for patients referred from primary care to a diabetes outpatient clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study is a retrospective study with follow-up of at least 12 months or until discharged. Risk stratification was performed at referral and when patients were returned to primary care. A total of 154 patients with type 2 diabetes were referred to the clinic in the 2004-2009 period. The main outcome measure was the duration of contact with the diabetes clinic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 105 patients were returned to primary care after a median of ten months (range 1-64 months) and six visits (1-25 visits). Half of the patients were returned to primary care after 18 months, and 20% were still in contact with the diabetes clinic after six years. The majority were classified as high-risk patients with no difference in risk level between patients followed ≤ 12 or > 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The complication level was high even among discharged patients. The long duration of the contact for the patients who were returned to primary health care should stimulate initiatives leading to a faster course in the secondary care setting.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Centre, Regional Hospital Silkeborg, 8600 Silkeborg, Denmark. tkh@studmed.au.dk.
authors.forename: Troels Kjærskov
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ørskov
authors.forename: Helle
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brockstedt
authors.forename: Hanne
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hornum
authors.forename: Klavs Würgler
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003718:Denmark; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors