title: Determinants of diabetes and hypertension control in ambulatory healthcare in Al ain, United arab emirates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to study determinants for the control of diabetes and hypertension in Al Ain Ambulatory Healthcare patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross sectional observational study of patients attending ambulatory healthcare centers in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates in 2009. From a yearly audit evaluating the care of patients with diabetes and hypertension, the determinants for improved diabetes and hypertension outcomes were identified from a total of 512 patients and its association with glycemic and blood pressure control were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From all variables studied, only the clinic where the patient was treated helped predict both improved blood sugar and blood pressure control. For patients with diabetes, poor control the year before (p<0.001), the number of chronic disease clinic visits (p=0.042) and triglyceride levels (p=0.007) predicted worse control of diabetes. A predictor of poor control of blood pressure (p<0.001) for patients with hypertension was poor control of blood pressure in the year before.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this population, the healthcare system and the team played major roles as determinants in the control of patient's diabetes and blood pressure more than any of the other factors examined.
authors.affiliation: Ambulatory Health Care Services, SEHA, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 1663, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Latifa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Baynouna
authors.affiliation: Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Nico Jd
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Nagelkerke
authors.affiliation: Ambulatory Health Care Services, SEHA, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 1663, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Thuraya A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Al Ameri
authors.affiliation: Ambulatory Health Care Services, SEHA, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 1663, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Sanaa M Zein
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Al Deen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Food and Agriculture, UAE University, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Habiba I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Ali
keywords: Diabetes; Hypertension; Quality Care