Showing papers on "Diabetes management published in 2011"

Cluster-randomized trial of a mobile phone personalized behavioral intervention for blood glucose control.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To test whether adding mobile application coaching and patient/provider web portals to community primary care compared with standard diabetes management would reduce glycated hemoglobin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A cluster-randomized clinical trial, the Mobile Diabetes Intervention Study, randomly assigned 26 primary care practices to one of three stepped treatment groups or a control group (usual care). A total of 163 patients were enrolled and included in analysis. The primary outcome was change in glycated hemoglobin levels over a 1-year treatment period. Secondary outcomes were changes in patient-reported diabetes symptoms, diabetes distress, depression, and other clinical (blood pressure) and laboratory (lipid) values. Maximal treatment was a mobile- and web-based self-management patient coaching system and provider decision support. Patients received automated, real-time educational and behavioral messaging in response to individually analyzed blood glucose values, diabetes medications, and lifestyle behaviors communicated by mobile phone. Providers received quarterly reports summarizing patient’s glycemic control, diabetes medication management, lifestyle behaviors, and evidence-based treatment options. RESULTS The mean declines in glycated hemoglobin were 1.9% in the maximal treatment group and 0.7% in the usual care group, a difference of 1.2% ( P = 0.001) over 12 months. Appreciable differences were not observed between groups for patient-reported diabetes distress, depression, diabetes symptoms, or blood pressure and lipid levels (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The combination of behavioral mobile coaching with blood glucose data, lifestyle behaviors, and patient self-management data individually analyzed and presented with evidence-based guidelines to providers substantially reduced glycated hemoglobin levels over 1 year.

Effects of Exercise on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes: A meta-analysis

Abstract: OBJECTIVE Exercise is a cornerstone of diabetes management and the prevention of incident diabetes. However, the impact of the mode of exercise on cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in type 2 diabetes is unclear. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a systematic review of the literature between 1970 and October 2009 in representative databases for the effect of aerobic or resistance exercise training on clinical markers of CV risk, including glycemic control, dyslipidemia, blood pressure, and body composition in patients with type 2 diabetes. RESULTS Of 645 articles retrieved, 34 met our inclusion criteria; most investigated aerobic exercise alone, and 10 reported combined exercise training. Aerobic alone or combined with resistance training (RT) significantly improved HbA 1c −0.6 and −0.67%, respectively (95% CI −0.98 to −0.27 and −0.93 to −0.40, respectively), systolic blood pressure (SBP) −6.08 and −3.59 mmHg, respectively (95% CI −10.79 to −1.36 and −6.93 to −0.24, respectively), and triglycerides −0.3 mmol/L (95% CI −0.48 to −0.11 and −0.57 to −0.02, respectively). Waist circumference was significantly improved −3.1 cm (95% CI −10.3 to −1.2) with combined aerobic and resistance exercise, although fewer studies and more heterogeneity of the responses were observed in the latter two markers. Resistance exercise alone or combined with any other form of exercise was not found to have any significant effect on CV markers. CONCLUSIONS Aerobic exercise alone or combined with RT improves glycemic control, SBP, triglycerides, and waist circumference. The impact of resistance exercise alone on CV risk markers in type 2 diabetes remains unclear.

Psychological family intervention for poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a psychological, family-based intervention to improve diabetes-related outcomes in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled trial of a psychological family-based intervention targeted at individuals with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Recruitment and follow-up occurred at specialist diabetes clinics. Patients were randomly allocated to an intervention group (n=60) or a control group (n=61). Poor control was defined as at least 2 of the patient's last 3 glycated hemoglobin (A1C) readings at >8.0%. The intervention consisted of 2 sessions delivered by a health psychologist to the patient and a family member in the patient's home, with a third session involving a 15-minute follow-up telephone call. RESULTS: At 6-month follow-up, the intervention group reported significantly lower mean A1C levels than the control group (8.4% [SD=0.99%] vs 8.8% [SD=1.36%]; P=.04). The intervention was most effective in those with the poorest control at baseline (A1C>9.5%) (intervention 8.7% [SD=1.16%, n=15] vs control 9.9% [SD=1.31%, n=15]; P=.01). The intervention group also reported statistically significant improvements in beliefs about diabetes, psychological well-being, diet, exercise, and family support. CONCLUSIONS: After participating in a family-based intervention targeting negative and/or inaccurate illness perceptions, patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes showed improvements in A1C levels and other outcomes. Our results suggest that adding a psychological, family-based component to usual diabetes care may help improve diabetes management.

Improved Glycemic Control Without Hypoglycemia in Elderly Diabetic Patients Using the Ubiquitous Healthcare Service, a New Medical Information System

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To improve quality and efficiency of care for elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, we introduced elderly-friendly strategies to the clinical decision support system (CDSS)-based ubiquitous healthcare (u-healthcare ) service, which is an individualized health management system using advanced medical information technology. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a 6-month randomized, controlled clinical trial involving 144 patients aged >60 years. Participants were randomly assigned to receive routine care (control, n = 48), to the self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG, n = 47) group, or to the u-healthcare group ( n = 49). The primary end point was the proportion of patients achieving A1C RESULTS After 6 months of follow-up, the mean A1C level was significantly decreased from 7.8 ± 1.3% to 7.4 ± 1.0% ( P P = 0.020) in the SMBG group, compared with 7.9 ± 0.8% to 7.8 ± 1.0% ( P = 0.274) in the control group. The proportion of patients with A1C P 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The CDSS-based u-healthcare service achieved better glycemic control with less hypoglycemia than SMBG and routine care and may provide effective and safe diabetes management in the elderly diabetic patients.

Glycemic Control and Health Disparities in Older Ethnically Diverse Underserved Adults With Diabetes: Five-year results from the Informatics for Diabetes Education and Telemedicine (IDEATel) study

Abstract: OBJECTIVE The Informatics for Diabetes Education and Telemedicine (IDEATel) project randomized ethnically diverse underserved older adults with diabetes to a telemedicine intervention or usual care. Intervention participants had lower A1C levels over 5 years. New analyses were performed to help better understand this difference. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS IDEATel randomized Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes ( n = 1,665) to receive home video visits with a diabetes educator and upload glucose levels every 4–6 weeks or usual care (2000–2007). Annual measurements included BMI, A1C (primary outcome), and completion of questionnaires. Mixed-model analyses were performed using random effects to adjust for clustering within primary care physicians. RESULTS At baseline, A1C levels (mean ± SD) were 7.02 ± 1.25% in non-Hispanic whites ( n = 821), 7.58 ± 1.78% in non-Hispanic blacks ( n = 248), and 7.79 ± 1.68% in Hispanics ( n = 585). Over time, lower A1C levels were associated with more glucose uploads ( P = 0.02) and female sex ( P = 0.002). Blacks, Hispanics, and insulin-users had higher A1C levels than non-Hispanic whites ( P < 0.0001). BMI was not associated with A1C levels. Blacks and Hispanics had significantly fewer uploads than non-Hispanic whites over time. Hispanics had the highest baseline A1C levels and showed the greatest improvement in the intervention, but, unlike non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics did not achieve A1C levels <7.0% at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS Racial/ethnic disparities were observed in this cohort of underserved older adults with diabetes. The IDEATel telemedicine intervention was associated with improvement in glycemic control, particularly in Hispanics, who had the highest baseline A1C levels, suggesting that telemedicine has the potential to help reduce disparities in diabetes management.

Qualitative evaluation of a mobile phone and web-based collaborative care intervention for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: Background: Drawing on previous web-based diabetes management programs based on the Chronic Care Model, we expanded an intervention to include care management through mobile phones and a game console web browser. Methods: The pilot intervention enrolled eight diabetes patients from the University of Washington in Seattle into a collaborative care program: connecting them to a care provider specializing in diabetes, providing access to their full electronic medical record, allowing wireless glucose uploads and e-mail with providers, and connecting them to the program's web services through a game system. To evaluate the study, we conducted qualitative thematic analysis of semistructured interviews. Results: Participants expressed frustrations with using the cell phones and the game system in their everyday lives, but liked the wireless system for collaborating with a provider on uploaded glucoses and receiving automatic feedback on their blood sugar trends. A majority of participants also expresse...

Parental Involvement and Adolescents’ Diabetes Management: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy and Externalizing and Internalizing Behaviors

Abstract: Objective To examine mediating processes linking parental involvement to diabetes management (adherence and metabolic control) during adolescence. Methods A total of 252 young adolescents (M age = 12.49 years, SD = 1.53, 53.6% females) with type 1 diabetes reported their parents’ involvement in diabetes management (relationship quality, monitoring, and behavioral involvement), their own externalizing and internalizing behaviors, diabetes-self efficacy, and adherence behaviors. HbA1c was drawn from medical records. Results SEM analyses indicated that the associations of mothers’ and fathers’ relationship quality with diabetes outcomes were mediated by adolescents’ perceptions of self-efficacy and externalizing behaviors, and the associations of fathers’ monitoring and behavioral involvement with adherence were partially mediated by adolescents’ self-efficacy. There were also direct (non-mediated) associations between mothers’ monitoring and adherence, and fathers’ monitoring and adherence and metabolic control. Conclusions Quality of the parent–adolescent relationship and monitoring are important for better adherence and metabolic control among adolescents through higher diabetes self-efficacy.

Reinforcement of Adherence to Prescription Recommendations in Asian Indian Diabetes Patients Using Short Message Service (SMS)-A Pilot Study

Abstract: Objectives: To investigate the acceptability and feasibility of using short message services (SmS) via cell phones to ensure adherence to management prescriptions by diabetic patients Methods: Type 2 diabetic patients with 5 or more years of diabetes and having HbA1c between 70% to 10% were randomized to the control arm (n=105) to receive standard care and to the intervention arm (SmS, n=110) messages in english on principles of diabetes management were sent once in 3 days, the contents and frequencies varied as per the patients’ preferences The study duration was 1 year All participants were advised to report for quarterly clinic visits A comparative assessment of the clinical, biochemical and anthropometric outcomes was made among the groups at the annual visit Results: Annual review was possible in 71% of intervention group and 63% of control group SmS was acceptable to the patients and the median number requested was 2 per week HbA1c and plasma lipids improved significantly in the SmS group Conclusions: The pilot study showed that frequent communication via SmS was acceptable to diabetic patients and it helped to improve the health outcomes

A Metasynthesis of the Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract: Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronically elevated blood glucose and high risk of comorbidities. In this article we report a metasynthesis of the 21st-Century qualitative research concerning the self-management of type 2 diabetes. We identified 38 relevant articles (sample size range 6 to 175), which were synthesized through a process of iterative reading and theory development. In this literature, authors argued and assumed that diabetes management is influenced by multiple, complex, competing factors, including interpersonal relations, gender, and sociocultural context. Conversely, self-management was sometimes construed as a facet of individual agency and was accepted uncritically, placing accountability for health with patients themselves. We conclude that a satisfactory account of diabetes care would pay attention to the “inner” world, while acknowledging the social and political conditions in which diabetes-related experiences unfold.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among People with Type 2 Diabetes in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract: Research into CAM use by people with diabetes is limited. This study explored CAM use among patients who attend diabetic clinics for followup treatment. Special attention was paid to patients' changing patterns of CAM use before and after diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes, their experience of CAM use, and their management of CAM use with conventional medicines. A retrospective cross-sectional survey (n = 326) was undertaken in three census regions in Taiwan, including metropolitan, urban, and rural areas in 2006-7 (87.4% response rate). Participants reported extensive use of CAM with conventional medicines. The prevalence of CAM use was 22.7% before and 61.0% after diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes with nutritional supplements being the most commonly used CAM before and after diagnosis. However, the disclosure rate of CAM use to healthcare professionals remained low (24.6%), and lack of knowledge about CAM ingredients was common (63.4%). Awareness of the widespread use of CAM by people with Type 2 diabetes is crucial for healthcare professionals. The self-administration of both conventional medicines and CAM without disclosure of CAM use to healthcare professionals may result in ineffective diabetes management and adverse effects. CAM information needs to be incorporated into clinical practice and patient and professional education.

The status of diabetes control in Malaysia: results of DiabCare 2008.

Abstract: DiabCare Malaysia 2008 evaluated the current status of diabetes care in Malaysia as a continuation of similar cross-sectional studies conducted previously in 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2003. The current study recruited 1670 patients from general hospitals, diabetes clinics and referral clinics to study current scenario of diabetes management. We report the results of type 2 diabetic population who constituted 92.8% (n = 1549). Results showed deteriorating glycaemic control with mean HbA1c of 8.66 +/- 2.09% with only 22% of the patients achieving ADA target of 2.6 mmol/L; 19.8% had triglycerides > 2.2 mmol/L; 27.4% had HDL < 1 mmol/L despite 85% of the patients being on lipid lowering agents. Microvascular, macrovascular and severe late complications were reported in 75%, 28.9% and 25.4% patients respectively. The rates of diabetic complications were cataract 27.2%, microalbuminuria 7%, neuropathy symptoms 45.9%, leg amputation 3.8% and history of angina pectoris was 18.4%. Quality of life evaluation showed that about one third of patients have poor quality of life. Also, there was poor adherence to diet, exercise and self testing of blood glucose. In conclusion, majority of the patients were still not satisfactorily controlled. There is an urgent need for effective remedial measures to increase adherence to practice guidelines and to educate both patients and healthcare personnel on importance of achieving clinical targets for metabolic control.

Does Higher Quality of Diabetes Management in Family Practice Reduce Unplanned Hospital Admissions

Abstract: Objective. To investigate the association between indicators of quality of diabetic management in English family practices and emergency hospital admissions for short-term complications of diabetes. Study Setting. A total of 8,223 English family practices from 2001/2002 to 2006/2007. Study Design. Multiple regression analyses of associations between admissions and proportions of practice diabetic patients with good (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] ≤7.4 percent) and moderate (7.4 percent

Leukocyte telomere length is associated with complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: Diabet. Med. 28, 1388–1394 (2011) Abstract Objective The key goal of diabetes management is to prevent complications. While the patho-physiological mechanisms responsible for diabetes complications have been extensively studied, at present it is impossible to predict which patient with diabetes could develop complications. In recent years, the role of leukocyte telomere length in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes has been investigated. However, studies aiming to investigate the role of telomeres in the development and progression of Type 2 diabetes, as well as diabetic complications, are still lacking. As a consequence, this study aimed to verify whether leukocyte telomere length is associated with the presence and the number of diabetic complications in a sample of patients with Type 2 diabetes. Methods This is a cross-sectional study. Nine hundred and one subjects were enrolled, including 501 patients with Type 2 diabetes, of whom 284 had at least one complication and 217 were without complications, and 400 control subjects. Leukocyte telomere length was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Results Patients with diabetes complications had significantly shorter leukocyte telomere length than both patients without diabetes complications and healthy control subjects. Moreover, among patients with diabetes complications, leukocyte telomere length became significantly and gradually shorter with the increasing number of diabetes complications. The magnitude of the effect of the decrease of the abundance of telomeric template vs. a single-copy gene length (T/S ratio) on complications is described by the estimated odds ratio OR = 5.44 (95% CI 3.52–8.42). Conclusions The results of the study support the hypothesis that telomere attrition may be a marker associated with the presence and the number of diabetic complications.

Can diabetes management be safely transferred to practice nurses in a primary care setting? A randomised controlled trial

Abstract: Aims and objectives. To determine whether the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a primary care setting can be safely transferred to practice nurses. Background. Because of the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the burden of caring for individual patients, the demand type 2 diabetes mellitus patients place on primary health care resources has become overwhelming. Design. Randomised controlled trial. Methods. The patients in the intervention group were cared for by practice nurses who treated glucose levels, blood pressure and lipid profile according to a specified protocol. The control group received conventional care from a general practitioner. The primary outcome measure was the mean decrease seen in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels at the end of the follow-up period (14 months). Results. A total of 230 patients was randomised with 206 completing the study. The between-group differences with respect to reduction in HbA1c, blood pressure and lipid profile were not significant. Blood pressure decreased significantly in both groups; 7 center dot 4/3 center dot 2 mm Hg in the intervention group and 5 center dot 6/1 center dot 0 mm Hg in the control group. In both groups, more patients met the target values goals for lipid profile compared to baseline. In the intervention group, there was some deterioration in the health-related quality of life and an increase in diabetes-related symptoms. Patients being treated by a practice nurse were more satisfied with their treatment than those being treated by a general practitioner. Conclusion. Practice nurses achieved results, which were comparable to those achieved by a general practitioner with respect to clinical parameters with better patient satisfaction. Relevance to clinical practice. This study shows that diabetes management in primary care can be safely transferred to practice nurses.

Role of Parenting Style in Achieving Metabolic Control in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To examine the role of parenting style in achieving metabolic control and treatment adherence in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Parents of 100 adolescents with type 1 diabetes completed assessments of their parenting style and sense of helplessness. Parents and patients rated patient adherence to the treatment regimen. Glycemic control was evaluated by HbA 1c values. RESULTS An authoritative paternal parenting style predicted better glycemic control and adherence in the child; a permissive maternal parenting style predicted poor adherence. A higher sense of helplessness in both parents predicted worse glycemic control and lesser adherence to treatment. Parental sense of helplessness was a significant predictor of diabetes control after correcting for other confounders (patient age, sex, and treatment method). CONCLUSIONS An authoritative nonhelpless parenting style is associated with better diabetes control in adolescents. Paternal involvement is important in adolescent diabetes management. These results have implications for psychological interventions.

Adolescent and Parent Perceptions of Patient-Centered Communication while Managing Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract: Objective To examine whether adolescents’ and parents’ perceptions of patient-centered communication (PCC) with the physician may be associated with aspects of patient empowerment (e.g., perceptions of competence) and diabetes management (i.e., adherence and HbA1c). Methods One hundred and ninety adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their parents rated perceptions of PCC following a clinic visit and completed measures of competence, illness perceptions, self-efficacy, and adherence in the weeks following their clinic visit, and again 6 months later. Metabolic control was indexed from medical records. Results Higher levels of PCC with physicians were associated cross-sectionally and longitudinally with greater perceptions of control and competence for both adolescents and parents. Mediation analyses indicated that PCC was indirectly related to subsequent adherence and metabolic control through perceptions of the adolescent’s competence in diabetes management. Conclusions Perceptions of PCC with healthcare providers may empower adolescents and parents in their diabetes management.

Establishment of normal reference ranges for glycemic variability in Chinese subjects using continuous glucose monitoring

Abstract: Background Glycemic variability is increasingly recognized as an important issue in diabetes management. However, the lack of normative values may limit its applicability in the clinical setting. The objective of this study was to establish preliminary normal reference ranges for glycemic variability by analyzing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data obtained from healthy Chinese adults.

Real‐time continuous glucose monitoring system for treatment of diabetes: a systematic review

Abstract: Diabet. Med. 28, 386–394 (2011) Abstract Aims This study reviews the effect of real-time continuous glucose monitoring systems in diabetes management. Methods A systematic search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE for randomized controlled trials comparing real-time continuous glucose monitoring systems with self-monitoring blood glucose or non-real-time continuous glucose monitoring systems. Results Nine randomized controlled trials were identified. Two studies used a device which is not on the market any more. In this review we focus on the other seven studies. Performing a meta-analysis was not possible because of extensive clinical heterogeneity. Six of seven studies showed some positive effect of real-time continuous glucose monitoring systems on HbA1c (HbA1c decrease 0.3–0.7% or 3–8 mmol/mol). In some studies, this effect only was shown in subgroups (compliant adult patients). However, the size of effect may be underestimated by better-than-average results in the control group, as self-monitoring blood glucose measurements are carried out more frequently than in usual clinical practice. Despite the goal of lowering HbA1c, no more severe hypoglycaemic episodes were seen, except in one study. In contrast, no positive effect was shown with the real-time continuous glucose monitoring system on hypoglycaemia, but randomized controlled trials were not designed or powered to investigate this issue. Time in different glucose strata was assessed only in some trials: two of them showed a significant but small increase in time in euglycaemia. Conclusions Current evidence shows that the real-time continuous glucose monitoring system has a beneficial effect on glycaemic control in adult diabetes patients, without an increase in the incidence of hypoglycaemia. Studies in well-selected patient groups (pregnancy, history of severe hypoglycaemias, Type 2 diabetes) are lacking.

Drug-Induced Glucose Alterations Part 2: Drug-Induced Hyperglycemia

Abstract: Many pharmacological agents commonly used in clinical practice affect glucose homeostasis, interfering with the body's balance between insulin, glucagon, catecholamines, growth hormone, and cortisol. Drug-induced serum glucose alterations manifested as hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia and ranging from mild to moderate to severe symptoms either appearing acutely or chronically, have perpetual effects on the body, particularly in patients with diabetes. This article and a second one that will appear in the next issue of this journal review drug-induced serum glucose alterations in a two-part series. In this article, we review pertinent clinical information on the incidence of drug-induced hypoglycemia and discuss the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms involved. Hypoglycemia is clinically defined as a serum glucose concentration low enough to cause the signs and symptoms differentiated in Table 1.1–4 Depending on the severity, hypoglycemic symptoms include irritability, impaired concentration, neurological deficits, seizures, coma, and even neuronal death.5 However, clinical manifestations vary from individual to individual, and some report hypoglycemic symptoms even when serum glucose levels do not reflect hypoglycemia or vice versa. Although definitions of hypoglycemia differ in the literature, many trials will differentiate between hypoglycemia (asymptomatic and symptomatic low serum glucose levels) and severe hypoglycemia. This article will cover and report both when applicable. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) Workgroup on Hypoglycemia has defined and classified hypoglycemia based on the severity of symptoms in patients diagnosed with diabetes as outlined in Table 2.2 In general, severe hypoglycemia develops when a reduction in blood glucose is enough to require assistance from another person to actively administer carbohydrate, glucagon, or other corrective actions.2 Severe hypoglycemia is a serious clinical syndrome that continues to be the most common endocrine emergency faced by health care providers and remains the limiting factor in effective diabetes management for many patients.6 …

Comparison of the CES-D and PHQ-9 depression scales in people with type 2 diabetes in Tehran, Iran

Abstract: The quality of life in patients with various chronic disorders, including diabetes has been directly affected by depression. Depression makes patients less likely to manage their self-care regimens. Accurate assessment of depression in diabetic populations is important to the treatment of depression in this group and may improve diabetes management. To our best knowledge, there are few studies that have looked for utilizing questionnaires in screening for depression among patients with diabetes in Iran. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and accuracy of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), in comparison with clinical interview in people with type 2 diabetes. Outpatients who attended diabetes clinics at IEM were recruited on a consecutive basis between February 2009 and July 2009. Inclusion criteria included patients with type 2 diabetes who could fluently read and speak Persian, had no severe diabetes complications and no history of psychological disorders. The history of psychological disorders was ascertained through patients' medical files, taking history of any medications in this regard. The study design was explained to all patients and informed consent was obtained. Volunteer patients completed the Persian version of the questionnaires (CES-D and PHQ-9) and a psychiatrist interviewed them based on Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) for DSM-IV criteria. Of the 185 patients, 43.2% were diagnosed as having Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) based on the clinical interview, 47.6% with PHQ-9 and 61.62% with CES-D. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) for the total score of PHQ-9 was 0.829 ± 0.30. A cut-off score for PHQ-9 of ≥ 13 provided an optimal balance between sensitivity (73.80%) and specificity (76.20%). For CES-D the AUC for the total score was 0.861 ± 0.029. Optimal balance between sensitivity (78.80%) and specificity (77.1%) was provided at cut-off score of ≥ 23. It could be concluded that the PHQ-9 and CES-D perform well as screening instruments, but in diagnosing major depressive disorder, a formal diagnostic process following the PHQ-9 and also the CES-D remains essential.

Medication adherence among ambulatory patients with type 2 diabetes in a tertiary healthcare setting in southwestern Nigeria

Abstract: Objective: To assess adherence to medication among ambulatory patients with type 2 diabetes, ascertain the level of glycemic control, and evaluate patients’ opinions on probable reasons for non-adherence with a view to identify areas of intervention to improve adherence.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at a 900-bed tertiary teaching hospital in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria between June and August, 2009. Out of 140 consented patients, 114 (81.4%) properly responded to the validated and pre-tested data collection tool and these were subsequently considered for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Means and proportions were compared using student t-test and chi-square or Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate, with p<0.05 considered statistical significant.Results: Approximately sixty percent of the patients were adjudged adherent with prescribed medication. Out of 58.8% of the cohort who gave their recent fasting plasma glucose (FPG) values, 59.7% had FPG above 110mg/dL. The mean FPG for patients was 139.05 (SD=70.5)mg/dL, males and females significantly differed in their mean FPG, 146.55 (SD=85.0)mg/dL versus 133.33 (SD=57.6)mg/dL respectively (p=0.032). Also, the mean FPG values for adherent patients, 137.09 (SD=59.3)mg/dL was lower than their non-adherent counterparts, 143.92 (SD=87.6) mg/dL, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.095). Financial constraint (34.4%) was the major barrier to optimal adherence with medication. A significant association exist between genders and opinions on physician’s mode of approach during patient-physician interaction as a contributory factor for non-adherence (p=0.038).Conclusion: Medication adherence of ambulatory type 2 diabetes patients is considerable. However, the relatively high level of adherence did not appear to have significantly impacted on patients’ glycemic status due to a substantial number who had plasma glucose above the recommended targets. Multiple methods may be required to detect patient who report adherence but who may in fact be non-adherent. Also, adherence to other aspects of diabetes management plan needs to be encouraged in order to accomplish optimal glycemic control. Initiatives targeting patient-specific intervention to improve medication adherence should be considered. Keywords: Medication adherence. Diabetes Mellitus. Nigeria.

Comprehensive Diabetes Management Program for Poorly Controlled Hispanic Type 2 Patients at a Community Health Center

Abstract: Technology and improved care coordination models can help diabetes educators and providers meet national care standards and provide culturally sensitive diabetes education that may improve diabetes outcomes. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a nurse-led diabetes care program (Comprehensive Diabetes Management Program, CDMP) for poorly controlled Hispanic type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients in an urban community health center setting. Patients were randomized to the intervention condition (IC; n = 21) or an attention control condition (AC; n = 18). IC and AC conditions were compared on rates of adherence to national clinical practice guidelines (blood glucose, blood pressure, foot exam, eye exam), and levels of diabetes distress, depression, and treatment satisfaction. IC patients had a significant improvement in A1C from baseline to 12-month follow-up compared with AC (-1.6% ± 1.4% versus -0.6% ± 1.1%; P = .01). The proportion of IC patients meeting clinical goals at follow-up tended to be higher than AC for A1c (IC = 45%; AC = 28%), systolic blood pressure (IC = 55%; AC = 28%), eye screening (IC = 91%; AC = 78%), and foot screening, (IC = 86%; AC = 72%). Diabetes distress and treatment satisfaction also showed greater improvement for IC than AC (P = .05 and P = .06, respectively), with no differences for depression. The CDMP intervention was more effective than an attention control condition in helping patients meet evidence-based guidelines for diabetes care.