Comment on Rudland et al. Identifying Glucokinase Monogenic Diabetes in a Multiethnic Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Cohort: New Pregnancy Screening Criteria and Utility of HbA1c. Diabetes Care 2016;39:50-52

Chilling Effects: US Immigration Enforcement And Health Care Seeking Among Hispanic Adults

Aggressive deportation policy enforcement in the US may make undocumented immigrants and those close to them reluctant to seek medical care. With 68 percent of undocumented immigrants coming from Mexico or Central America, US deportation policies particularly affect Hispanic residents. To examine how deportation enforcement relates to health care use in the Hispanic population in general, we matched survey data from the 2011-16 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to measures of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. Quasi-experimental analyses demonstrated that Hispanic respondents were less likely to report having had a regular provider or annual checkup following increased ICE activity in their state. In contrast, these behaviors were unchanged among non-Hispanic adults, a group less likely to be affected by deportation enforcement. Parallel results were found among Hispanic and non-Hispanic adults with diabetes, for whom lapses in care may confer significant health risks.

Self-care practice and its predictors among adults with diabetes mellitus on follow up at public hospitals of Arsi zone, southeast Ethiopia

Objective

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness that requires ongoing patient self-management and support to prevent acute complications and to reduce the risk of long- term complications. The objective of the study was to assess diabetic self-care practice and its predictors among adults with diabetes mellitus on follow up at hospitals of Arsi zone, southeast Ethiopia.

Results

Above half (53.3%) of diabetic patients had good self-care practice. Younger age (AOR: 8.95, 95% CI 1.89,42.48), earning a high income (AOR: 2.495, 95% CI 1.0,5.85), having a family history of diabetes (AOR: 4.5, 95% CI 1.3, 15.5), long duration since the diagnosis of diabetes (AOR: 2.14,95% CI 1.127,4.05), not having diabetic complications (AOR: 3.87, 95% CI 2, 7.48), and having glucometer (AOR: 4.08, 95% CI 1.78 l, 9.33) were significantly associated factors with good diabetic self care practice. Efforts should be made to prevent complications of diabetes mellitus, to support patients who are aged and who have no glucometer at their home to promote good self-care practice. Particularly, health care providers should give special attention to newly diagnosed patients.

Diabetes care in the dispersed population of Greenland. A new model based on continued monitoring, analysis and adjustment of initiatives taken

Diabetes used to be a rare condition among Inuit in Greenland. However, research in recent decades has shown a high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes. Addressing diabetes in the geographically dispersed population of Greenland presents a challenge to the health care system. In 2008, a new model of diabetes care was introduced in Greenland that included continual monitoring, analysis, and adjustment of initiatives taken. The overall aim of this review was to review the feasibility of the monitoring of an ongoing national diabetes care programme. After ten years of observation it was clear that monitoring of such a programme based on information in electronic medical records in Greenland was feasible. It was found that the majority of the population in Greenland was in contact with the health care system. Increased diagnostic activity resulted in an increased prevalence of diagnosed diabetes. The quality of diabetes care in Greenland and the testing effectiveness of gestational diabetes were improved. Microvascular complications were frequently observed among Greenlandic diabetic patients, except for retinopathy that was as an exception. In summary, this model may improve diabetes care and potentially care for other chronic conditions in Greenland, and may also be helpful in other remote settings where chronic disease care is difficult.Abbreviations: AD: Anno Domini; ADA: American Diabetes Association; BC: Before Christ; BMI: Body Mass Index; BP: Blood Pressure; CWB: Capillary Whole Blood; EMR: Electronic Medical Record; EASD: European Association for Study of Diabetes; GA: Gestational Age; GDM: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus; FIGO: The International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics; HbA1c: Glycosylated haemoglobin; IDF: International Diabetes Federation; LDL: Low density lipoprotein; NDQIA: National Diabetes Quality Improvement Alliancel; NICE: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; OGTT: Oral Glucose Tolerance Test; QIH: Queen Ingrid Hospital; RCT: Randomised Controlled Tria;l T1D: Type 1 Diabetes; T2D: Type 2 Diabetes; UACR: Urine Albumin Creatinine Ratio; WHO: World Health Organisation.

Evaluation of a Pharmacist-Managed Diabetes Program in a Primary Care Setting Within an Integrated Health Care System

BACKGROUND

Pharmacists have important roles in managing the therapy of patients with type 2 diabetes and improving patient care. Pharmacists titrate medications; reinforce patient education; and address care gaps, such as medication adherence, vaccinations, and overdue health screenings. Through these efforts and more, pharmacists help to improve patient care and achieve Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures. Thus, it is important to demonstrate improved health outcomes through pharmacist contributions to diabetes management, which can then provide an opportunity to expand the role of clinical pharmacists in other medical centers and practice settings within an integrated health care system.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of a pharmacist-managed program within a primary care setting by determining the percentage of patients who reached the HEDIS goal of hemoglobin A1c (A1c) < 8.0%, the time needed to reach this goal, and A1c reduction in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study identified patients aged 18-74 years who had uncontrolled A1c ≥ 8.0%. Patients in the Complete Care Program (CCP) had their diabetes therapy managed by a pharmacist and were propensity score matched to a comparison group of usual care (UC) patients. Multivariate regression analyses and a Cox proportional hazards model compared the change in A1c from baseline and the time to A1c goal between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the CCP and UC patients (n = 980 patients per group). CCP patients were significantly more likely to achieve the HEDIS goal of A1c < 8% at 3 months (OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.93-3.10, P < 0.0001) and at 6 months (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.08-1.61, P = 0.007) compared with the UC patients. CCP patients also reached the A1c goal significantly faster: 3.4 months versus 4.6 months (P < 0.0001), even after controlling for covariates (HR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.09-1.41, P = 0.001). Change in baseline A1c was -0.95% versus -0.54% (P < 0.0001) at 3 months and -1.19% versus -0.99% (P = 0.008) at 6 months for CCP versus UC patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Type 2 diabetes therapy management by clinical pharmacists was associated with a greater percentage of patients achieving the HEDIS goal of A1c < 8.0%, reaching the A1c goal faster, and a greater A1c reduction from baseline at 3 and 6 months of follow-up compared with patients receiving usual care.

DISCLOSURES

No funding was provided to support this research study. The authors report no potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article. All authors contributed to the study concept and design. Benedict and Spence performed data analysis and interpretation. The manuscript was written by Benedict, with assistance from Spence and Rashid. All authors reviewed and contributed to manuscript revisions. Spence is the guarantor of this work and, as such, had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Parts of this study were presented at the AMCP Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy Annual Meeting; San Francisco, California; April 19-22, 2016.

Quality of Care Improves for Patients with Diabetes in Medicare Shared Savings Accountable Care Organizations: Organizational Characteristics Associated with Performance

Accountable care organizations (ACOs), a primary care-centric delivery and payment model, aim to promote integrated population health, which may improve care for those with chronic conditions such as diabetes. Research has shown that, overall, the ACO model is effective at reducing costs, but there is substantial variation in how effective different types of ACOs are at impacting costs and improving care delivery. This study examines how ACO organizational characteristics - such as composition, staffing, care management, and experiences with health reform - were associated with quality of care delivered to patients with diabetes. Secondary data were analyzed retrospectively to examine Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) ACOs' performance on diabetes metrics in the first 2 years of ACO contracts. Ordinary least squares was used to analyze 162 MSSP ACOs with publicly available performance data and the National Survey of ACOs. ACOs improved performance significantly for patients with diabetes between contract years 1 and 2. In year 1, also having a private payer contract and an increased number of services within the ACO were positively associated with performance, while having a community health center or a hospital were negatively associated with performance. Better performance in year 1 was negatively associated with improved performance in year 2. This study found that ACOs substantively improved diabetes management within initial contract years. ACOs may need different types of support throughout their contracts to ensure continued improvements in performance.

Impact of a Plant-Based Diet and Support on Mitigating Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Latinos Living in Medically Underserved Areas

Purpose:

To determine the impact that a high-fiber, low-fat diet, derived from mostly plant-based sources, when coupled with support has upon self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Latinos from medically underserved areas (MUAs).

Design:

Experimental randomized controlled community pilot study.

Setting:

Three community clinics in MUAs located within San Bernardino County, California.

Participants:

Thirty-two randomly assigned Latinos with A1C greater than 6.4: 15 control and 17 experimental.

Intervention:

Participants completed a 5-week education program. Researchers provided follow-up support for 17 randomly assigned experimental group participants through focus groups held at participating clinics—1, 3, and 6 months posteducation.

Measures:

Changes in fat and fiber consumption were measured using a modified Dietary Screener for Mexican Americans. Self-management was measured through the Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale and Diabetes Quality of Life Measure.

Analysis:

Baseline characteristics for both groups were analyzed using independent t tests and χ2 tests. A 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze biometric data between baseline and 6 months for both groups.

Results:

Mean A1C levels decreased from baseline to 6 months for both groups: control, μ1 = 9.57, μ2 = 9.49; experimental, μ1 = 8.53, μ2 = 7.31.

Conclusion:

The experimental group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in mean A1C levels ( P = .002) when compared to the control group.

Patient and healthcare professional satisfaction with a new, high accuracy blood glucose meter with color range indicator and wireless connectivity

Accurate self-monitoring of blood glucose is a key component of effective self-management of glycemic control. The OneTouch VerioFlex(™) (OTVF) blood glucose monitoring system (BGMS) was evaluated for accuracy in a clinical setting. Patients also used OTVF for a 1-wk trial period and reported their level of satisfaction with meter features. In a separate study, healthcare professionals used an on-line simulator of the BGMS and answered questions about its potential utility to their patients. OTVF was accurate over a wide glucose range and met lay user and system accuracy blood glucose standards described in ISO15197:2013 as well as the accuracy requirements to fulfill US FDA expectations for 510(k) clearance of BGMS. Patients and healthcare professionals felt the features of OTVF, which has the capability to connect wirelessly to mobile devices and interact wirelessly with diabetes management software, could provide significant benefits to them or their patients.