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Compliance with National Guidelines in Patients with Diabetes in a Family Practice Clinic
Author(s) -
Kirk Julienne K.,
Poirier Jessica E.,
Mattox Michelle G.,
Thomas Perry M.,
Michielutte Robert
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.22.17.1541.34119
Subject(s) - medicine , hyperlipidemia , diabetes mellitus , blood pressure , national cholesterol education program , compliance (psychology) , family medicine , metabolic syndrome , endocrinology , psychology , social psychology
Study Objective. To assess whether clinicians are treating patients with both type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia according to national goals for blood pressure, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and glucose levels. Design. Retrospective chart review. Setting. University‐based family medicine teaching practice. Patients. One hundred twenty‐four patients with both type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Measurements and Main Results. Sixty‐nine patients (58%) met the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel II's goals for LDL (< 130 mg/dl for primary prevention and < 100 mg/dl for secondary prevention). Only 47 patients (38%) were in compliance with national standards for both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The mean hemoglobin A 1c (A1C) level was 8.6%; 27 patients (21.8%) had A1C levels below 7%. Conclusion. A high percentage of patients in our family practice clinic met their goals for reducing lipid levels, but more aggressive therapy is necessary to attain glucose and blood pressure goals. Data from this study emphasize the need for understanding which factors influence clinicians' treatment decisions.