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Impact of a chronic care model based on patient empowerment on the management of Type 2 diabetes: effects of the SINERGIA programme
Author(s) -
Musacchio N.,
Lovagnini Scher A.,
Giancaterini A.,
Pessina L.,
Salis G.,
Schivalocchi F.,
Nicolucci A.,
Pellegrini F.,
Rossi M. C. E.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2011.03253.x
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , type 2 diabetes , cholesterol , gastroenterology , endocrinology
Diabet. Med. 28, 724–730 (2011) Abstract Aims Several chronic care models for diabetes have been implemented in Italy, although conclusive data on their effectiveness are lacking. In the Cusano‐Milanino diabetes clinic, patients with Type 2 diabetes with a stable disease/therapy (i.e. a steady level of HbA 1c without need for therapy changes) are included in the SINERGIA programme: diabetologists, nurses and dietitians empower patients and telemedicine resources are utilized efficiently. Methods Clinical outcomes measured in the year before and after the initiation of SINERGIA were compared. A generalized hierarchical linear regression model for repeated measures was used. Results Altogether, 1004 patients were included; baseline characteristics were (mean ± sd ): age 66.6 ± 6.2 years, 54.1% male, diabetes duration 10.8 ± 7.7 years, BMI 29.5 ± 4.8 kg/m 2 , HbA 1c 6.9 ± 0.9% (52 ± 14 mmol/mol); 72.9% of patients were treated with anti‐hypertensive drugs; 32.7% were treated with lipid‐lowering drugs. After a median follow‐up of 12 months (range 6–24 months), the proportion of patients with HbA 1c ≤ 7.0% (≤ 53 mmol/mol) increased from 32.7 to 45.8% ( P < 0.0001), while those with HbA 1c ≥ 9% (≥ 75 mmol/mol) decreased from 10.5 to 4.3% ( P < 0.0001). Patients with LDL cholesterol < 100 mg/dl (< 2.59 mmol/l) increased from 40 to 47% ( P < 0.0001), while those with LDL cholesterol ≥ 130 mg/dl (≥ 3.36 mmol/l) decreased from 26.6 to 19.7%; blood pressure levels were slightly improved. The mean number of face‐to‐face encounters decreased from (median and range) 2.8 (2.3–3.4) to 2.3 (1.9–2.7) ( P < 0.0001) visits per patient/year. Conclusions The SINERGIA model is effective in improving metabolic control and major cardiovascular risk factors, while allowing diabetologists to dedicate more time to patients with more acute disease.