ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent chronicdiseases and has a significant health and social impact. Strict control of blood glucose levels and other risk factors for vascular disease (VD) reduces complications and mortality and is related to the quality of care received. Although care should be interdisciplinary, based on the coordination of primary care (PC) and hospital care (HC), little information is available on the effectiveness of the different existing intervention models. OBJECTIVE: To assess, in a population with DM from a healthcare area, the impact on health, quality of care, and effectiveness in the use of resources of a specific model of shared management of patients with DM (Instrument for Evaluation of Models of Chronic Care in Diabetes Mellitus; IEMAC-DM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental before-after intervention study in patients with DM in the Cádiz-San Fernando Healthcare Area (Andalusia, Spain) that allows for identifying the capacity of the program to improve the quality indicators both in the whole population with DM and in that referred to HC. For this, a working group consisting of healthcare professionals of different profiles and care levels was set up. An initial self-assessment was done using the IEMAC-DM tool and, after analysis of the preliminary results, improvement strategies were established and implemented. Finally, the clinical and resource management results were assessed before and two years after the implementation of the model. RESULTS: During the study period, no significant changes were seen in process indicators related to laboratory practices or examinations in the health area. The proportion of patients with acceptable metabolic control [glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level < 8%] was 49% in 2015 and 45% in 2017. The number of admissions related to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke remained constant, but there was an increase in the standardized ratio of major lower limb amputations (1.5 vs. 1.9). Of the 295 patients referred from PC to HC, the proportion of adequate referrals increased from 40% in 2015 to 76% in 2017 (P = .001). In the referred patients, a significant improvement was seen in the mean difference in glycosylated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c; 1.14 ± 1.73%; 95% CI: 0.73-1.55; P = .0001) and cholesterol (11.28 ± 40 mg/dL; 95% CI: 2.07-20.48; P = .012). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that an intervention based on a chronicity care model adapted to patients with DM improves certain aspects related to the quality of care and the degree of metabolic control. Improving health outcomes will require long-term evaluation and, probably, other additional interventions.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus , Patient Care Management , Diabetes Mellitus/therapy , Glycated Hemoglobin/analysis , Hospitals , Humans , Long-Term Care , Patient Care Management/organization & administration , Primary Health Care , SpainABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases and has a significant health and social impact. Strict control of blood glucose levels and other risk factors for vascular disease reduces complications and mortality and is related to the quality of care received. Although care should be interdisciplinary, based on the coordination of primary care (PC) and hospital care (HC), little information is available on the effectiveness of the different existing intervention models. OBJECTIVE: To assess, in a population with DM from a healthcare area, the impact on health, quality of care, and effectiveness in the use of resources of a specific model of shared management of patients with DM (Instrument for Evaluation of Models of Chronic Care in Diabetes Mellitus; IEMAC-DM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental before-after intervention study in patients with DM in the Cádiz-San Fernando Healthcare Area (Andalusia, Spain) that allows for identifying the capacity of the program to improve the quality indicators both in the whole population with DM and in that referred to HC. For this, a working group consisting of healthcare professionals of different profiles and care levels was set up. An initial self-assessment was done using the IEMAC-DM tool and, after analysis of the preliminary results, improvement strategies were established and implemented. Finally, the clinical and resource management results were assessed before and two years after the implementation of the model. RESULTS: During the study period, no significant changes were seen in process indicators related to laboratory practices or examinations in the health area. The proportion of patients with acceptable metabolic control [glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level<8%] was 49% in 2015 and 45% in 2017. The number of admissions related to acute myocardial infarction and stroke remained constant, but there was an increase in the standardized ratio of major lower limb amputations (1.5 vs. 1.9). Of the 295 patients referred from PC to HC, the proportion of adequate referrals increased from 40% in 2015 to 76% in 2017 (p=0.001). In the referred patients, a significant improvement was seen in the mean difference in glycosylated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c; 1.14±1.73%; 95% CI: 0.73-1.55; p=0.0001) and cholesterol (11.28±40mg/dL; 95% CI: 2.07-20.48; p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that an intervention based on a chronicity care model adapted to patients with DM improves certain aspects related to the quality of care and the degree of metabolic control. Improving health outcomes will require long-term evaluation and, probably, other additional interventions.
ABSTRACT
Introducción: El impacto del hipotiroidismo subclínico (HSC) y la autoinmunidad antitiroidea positiva en los resultados obstétricos y perinatales permanece en controversia y es objeto de gran interés. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto del HSC y la autoinmunidad positiva en las complicaciones obstétricas y perinatales en nuestra población. Material y método: Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo en 435 mujeres con HSC (TSH entre 3,86 y 10μUI/ml, y FT4 normal) en el primer trimestre de la gestación, con seguimiento durante el embarazo. Se analizaron parámetros epidemiológicos y clínicos y se relacionaron con complicaciones obstétricas y perinatales en función de la presencia de autoinmunidad positiva (anticuerpos antiperoxidasa [aTPO] > 34 UI/ml). Resultados: La edad media fue de 31,3 años (desviación estándar: 5,2). El 17% de las pacientes presentaban aTPO positivos. La presencia de aTPO se asoció a antecedentes familiares de hipotiroidismo (p = 0,04), y con una mayor probabilidad de aborto (p = 0,009). En el análisis multivariante, los aTPO positivos suponían un aumento de probabilidad de presentar aborto de 10,25 veces. No se encontraron asociaciones estadísticamente significativas con el resto de las complicaciones obstétricas y perinatales. Conclusiones: En nuestro medio, las gestantes con HSC y autoinmunidad positiva presentan un mayor riesgo de aborto, pero no de otras complicaciones obstétricas y perinatales (AU)
Background: The impact of subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) and thyroid autoimmunity on obstetric and perinatal complications continues to be a matter of interest and highly controversial. Aim: To assess the impact of SH and autoimmunity in early pregnancy on the obstetric and perinatal complications in our population. Material and method: A retrospective cohort study in 435 women with SH (TSH ranging from 3.86 and 10 μIU/mL and normal FT4 values) in the first trimester of pregnancy. Epidemiological and clinical parameters were analyzed and were related to obstetric and perinatal complications based on the presence of autoimmunity (thyroid peroxidase antibodies [TPO] > 34 IU/mL). Results: Mean age was 31.3 years (SD 5.2). Seventeen percent of patients had positive TPO antibodies. Presence of positive autoimmunity was associated to a family history of hypothyroidism (P=.04) and a higher chance of miscarriage (P=.009). In the multivariate analysis, positive TPO antibodies were associated to a 10.25-fold higher risk of miscarriage. No statistically significant associations were found with all other obstetric and perinatal complications. Conclusions: In our region, pregnant women with SH and thyroid autoimmunity had a higher risk of miscarriage but not of other obstetric and perinatal complications (AU)
Subject(s)
Pregnancy , Hypothyroidism/epidemiology , Autoimmunity , Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Cohort Studies , Immunoenzyme Techniques , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The impact of subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) and thyroid autoimmunity on obstetric and perinatal complications continues to be a matter of interest and highly controversial. AIM: To assess the impact of SH and autoimmunity in early pregnancy on the obstetric and perinatal complications in our population. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective cohort study in 435 women with SH (TSH ranging from 3.86 and 10 µIU/mL and normal FT4 values) in the first trimester of pregnancy. Epidemiological and clinical parameters were analyzed and were related to obstetric and perinatal complications based on the presence of autoimmunity (thyroid peroxidase antibodies [TPO] > 34 IU/mL). RESULTS: Mean age was 31.3 years (SD 5.2). Seventeen percent of patients had positive TPO antibodies. Presence of positive autoimmunity was associated to a family history of hypothyroidism (P=.04) and a higher chance of miscarriage (P=.009). In the multivariate analysis, positive TPO antibodies were associated to a 10.25-fold higher risk of miscarriage. No statistically significant associations were found with all other obstetric and perinatal complications. CONCLUSIONS: In our region, pregnant women with SH and thyroid autoimmunity had a higher risk of miscarriage but not of other obstetric and perinatal complications.
