Effectiveness of Diabetes Care at Siriraj Primary Care Unit

Abstract

Objective: To study the effectiveness of diabetes care on type 2 diabetic patients at the Siriraj Primary Care Unit
Study design: Retrospective study
Materials and methods: A systemic review of patients, health recode was performed, regarding their major atherosclerosis risk factors, degree of diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy, and efficacy of diabetes control, using electronic medical records of patients who attended between l July,2002 to 30 June,2003 Average data were reported as percentages.
Results: 1,041 type 2 diabetic patients attended Siriraj Primary Care Unit, who were divided into 305 males and 736 females. The average age was 59.5 yeas [± 10.21 years]. 660 patients who continuously attended were enrolled in this study. There were no records of smoking habits, family history of premature coronary artery disease or exercise behavior. Blood pressure, body weight, height and body mass index measurements was recorded. Rates of performing a lipid profile, HbA 1c, serum creatinine measurement and referral to eye specialists were 92.4% [610/660], 79.7% [526/660], 68.8% [454/660] and 62.7% [414/660] respectively. In this group,229 patents who continuously attended longer than 6 months received a HbA 1c measurement. 34.4% [103/229] of these patients were poorly controlled {HbA1c>8%}.
Comment: Health care system and multidisciplinary diabetes guidelines for health care teams should be developed to improve diabetes care and explore causes of poor diabetes control.