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Ciccacci F, Ismael F, Parruque F, Maquete DJ, Loureiro S, Balamala M, Morviducci L, Manto A, Lanti F, Orlando S, Guidotti G. Implementing HbA1c monitoring in sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons learnt from a pilot project in Mozambique. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2024; 7:100504. [PMID: 38840715 PMCID: PMC11152726 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2024.100504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Aims We aimed to evaluate lesson learnt from a pilot project in Mozambique focused on point-of-care (POC) HbA1c testing for diabetes management in primary health care facilities. Methods Over a three-year period, several health centers were equipped with POC HbA1c testing machines. The evaluation involved 12 months of data collection, interviews with patients and staff, and regular supervision visits. Results The project screened over 22,000 individuals and provided HbA1c testing to 2362 diabetes patients. Among the analyzed results, 65.7 % had HbA1c levels below 7 %, 10.9 % between 7 % and 8.5 %, and 23.4 % above 8.5 %. POC testing showed advantages such as reduced costs and improved workload management. Conclusions Limited access to HbA1c testing remains a challenge in African countries. The pilot project demonstrated the feasibility of POC HbA1c testing and highlighted the need for increased efforts to make it more widely available, leading to improved diabetes management and patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fausto Ciccacci
- UniCamillus, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavio Ismael
- DREAM Program, Community of Sant'Egidio, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | | | - Sandra Loureiro
- Mozambican Diabetes Association (AMODIA), Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Leilo Morviducci
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale Roma 1, Santo Spirito Hospital-Diabetology and Dietology Unit, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Stefano Orlando
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Rome, Italy
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2
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Rao KD, Mehta A, Kautsar H, Kak M, Karem G, Misra M, Joshi H, Herbst CH, Perry HB. Improving quality of non-communicable disease services at primary care facilities in middle-income countries: A scoping review. Soc Sci Med 2023; 320:115679. [PMID: 36731302 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Health systems in middle-income countries face important challenges in managing the high burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD). Primary health care is widely recognized as key to managing NCDs in communities. However, the effectiveness of this approach is limited by poor quality of care (QoC), among others. This scoping review identifies the types of interventions that have been used in middle-income countries to improve the quality of NCD services at primary care facilities. Further, it identifies the range of outcomes these quality interventions have influenced. This scoping review covered both the grey and peer-reviewed literature. The 149 articles reviewed were classified into four domains - governance, service-delivery systems, health workforce, and patients and communities. There was a remarkable unevenness in the geographic distribution of studies - lower middle-income countries and some regions (Middle East, North Africa, and South East Asia) had a scarcity of published studies. NCDs such as stroke and cardiovascular disease, mental health, cancer, and respiratory disorders received less attention. The thrust of quality interventions was directed at the practice of NCD care by clinicians, facilities, or patients. Few studies provided evidence from interventions at the organizations or policy levels. Overall, effectiveness of quality interventions was mixed across domains. In general, positive or mixed effects on provider clinical skills and behavior, as well as, improvements in patient outcomes were found across interventions. Access to care and coverage of screening services were positively influenced by the interventions reviewed. This review shows that quality improvement interventions tried in middle-income countries mostly focused at the provider and facility level, with few focusing on the organizational and policy level. There is a need to further study the effectiveness of organizational and policy level interventions on the practice and outcomes of NCD care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna D Rao
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Akriti Mehta
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA.
| | - Hunied Kautsar
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | | | | | - Madhavi Misra
- Johns Hopkins India Private Limited, New Delhi, India
| | - Harsha Joshi
- Johns Hopkins India Private Limited, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Henry B Perry
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
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3
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Primary Health Care System Strengthening Project in Sri Lanka: Status and Challenges with Human Resources, Information Systems, Drugs and Laboratory Services. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10112251. [PMID: 36360593 PMCID: PMC9691080 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10112251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A Primary Healthcare-System-Strengthening Project (PSSP) is implemented by the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, with funding support from the World Bank for providing quality care through primary medical care institutions (PMCIs). We used an explanatory mixed-methods study to assess progress and challenges in human resources, drug availability, laboratory services and the health management information system (HMIS) at PMCIs. We conducted a checklist-based assessment followed by in-depth interviews of healthcare workers in one PMCI each in all nine provinces. All PMCIs had medical/nursing officers, but data entry operators (44%) and laboratory technicians (33%) were mostly not available. Existing staff were assigned additional responsibilities in PSSP, decreasing their motivation and efficiency. While 11/18 (61%) essential drugs were available in all PMCIs, buffer stocks were not maintained in >50% due to poor supply chain management and storage infrastructure. Only 6/14 (43%) essential laboratory investigations were available in >50% of PMCIs, non-availability was due to shortages of reagents/consumables and lack of sample collection−transportation system. The HMIS was installed in PMCIs but its usage was sub-optimal due to perceived lack of utility, few trained operators and poor internet connectivity. The PSSP needs to address these bottlenecks as a priority to ensure sustainability and successful scale-up.
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4
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Madimenos FC, Gildner TE, Eick GN, Sugiyama LS, Snodgrass JJ. Bringing the lab bench to the field: Point-of-care testing for enhancing health research and stakeholder engagement in rural/remote, indigenous, and resource-limited contexts. Am J Hum Biol 2022; 34:e23808. [PMID: 36166487 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Point-of-care testing (POCT) allows researchers and health-care providers to bring the lab bench to the field, providing essential health information that can be leveraged to improve health care, accessibility, and understanding across clinical and research settings. Gaps in health service access are most pronounced in what we term RIR settings-rural/remote regions, involving Indigenous peoples, and/or within resource-limited settings. In these contexts, morbidity and mortality from infectious and non-communicable diseases are disproportionately higher due to numerous geographic, economic, political, and sociohistorical factors. Human biologists and global health scholars are well-positioned to contribute on-the-ground-level insights that can serve to minimize global health inequities and POCT has the potential to augment such approaches. While the clinical benefits of POCT include increasing health service access by bringing testing, rapid diagnosis, and treatment to underserved communities with limited pathways to centralized laboratory testing, POCT also provides added benefits to both health-focused researchers and their participants. Through portable, minimally invasive devices, researchers can provide actionable health data to participants by coupling POCT with population-specific health education, discussing results and their implications, creating space for participants to voice concerns, and facilitating linkages to treatment. POCT can also strengthen human biology research by shedding light on questions of evolutionary and biocultural importance. Here, we expand on the epidemiological and research value, as well as practical and ethical challenges of POCT across stakeholders (i.e., participant, community, health researcher, and trainee). Finally, we emphasize the immense opportunities of POCT for fostering collaborative research and enhancing access to health delivery and information and, by extension, helping to mitigate persistent global health inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia C Madimenos
- Department of Anthropology, Queens College (CUNY), New York, USA.,New York Consortium of Evolutionary Primatology (NYCEP), CUNY Graduate Center, New York, USA
| | - Theresa E Gildner
- Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Geeta N Eick
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | | | - James J Snodgrass
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA.,Center for Global Health, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA.,Global Station for Indigenous Studies and Cultural Diversity, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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5
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Hu C, Annese VF, Giagkoulovits C, Barrett MP, Cumming DRS. Factor VIII companion diagnostic for haemophilia. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1006600. [PMID: 36277382 PMCID: PMC9579283 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1006600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Haemophilia is predominantly an inherited disorder that impairs the body’s ability to make blood clots, a process needed to stop bleeding. The condition of this disease is complex to manage, but many patients do so through home therapy and often only see their core multidisciplinary healthcare team annually. There is an increasing need for patients to be able to monitor their condition efficiently at home while staying connected with their healthcare team. As a consequence, a low-cost handheld self-monitoring solution for clotting factor is required. Here we have demonstrated a suitable one-step Factor VIII companion diagnostic sensing approach based on a chromogenic assay for haemophilia A. The results show comparable performance to the gold standard method. Our approach is able to deliver accurate cost-effective results in under 5 min from undiluted human plasma. It has the potential to be able to reduce the human and monetary costs of over- or under-medication for haemophiliacs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Hu
- Division of Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Chunxiao Hu,
| | - Valerio F. Annese
- Division of Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Christos Giagkoulovits
- Division of Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - David R. S. Cumming
- Division of Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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6
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Mbhele T, Tanyanyiwa DM, Moepya RJ, Bhana S, Makatini MM. Relationship between amino acid ratios and decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate in diabetic and non-diabetic patients in South Africa. Afr J Lab Med 2021; 10:1398. [PMID: 34956850 PMCID: PMC8678941 DOI: 10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Diabetic kidney disease is a major complication resulting from type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Currently, the microalbuminuria test is used to monitor renal function; however, it does not detect albumin until progressive loss of renal function has occurred. Objective This study analysed the relationship between changes in amino acid ratios and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Methods Urine samples were collected from participants between February 2019 to April 2019 and analysed from November 2020 to January 2021. Diabetic (glycated haemoglobin > 6.4%) and non-diabetic patients (glycated haemoglobin ≤ 6.4%) from Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, South Africa, were further categorised based on the degree of renal function predicted by the eGFRs. Amino acids were quantified using tandem mass spectrometry to determine the concentrations and ratios of tyrosine/phenylalanine, ornithine/arginine, arginine/citrulline and citrulline/ornithine at different stages of the chronic kidney disease. Results Among diabetic patients, the tyrosine/phenylalanine ratio showed a statistically significant increase (p = 0.04) as the eGFR declined from stage 1 to stage 4; the ornithine/arginine ratio showed a strong negative correlation with eGFR. The citrulline/ornithine ratio differed between the diabetic and non-diabetic patients in stage 1 of chronic kidney disease. Conclusion Amino acid ratios (ornithine/arginine and tyrosine/phenylalanine) are affected by the progression of diabetes and can be correlated to renal function. The citrulline/ornithine ratios differ between the studied groups in stage 1 of the disease and may be utilised to predict the onset of chronic kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thapelo Mbhele
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Donald M. Tanyanyiwa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Refilwe J. Moepya
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sindeep Bhana
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Maya M. Makatini
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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7
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Lemos Macedo JC, de Carvalho VCHDS, Cortes TBA, Soares DA, Mistro S, Kochergin CN, Rumel D, Oliveira MG. Community-Based Interventions to Improve the Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in Underserved Rural Areas in Brazil: A Before-and-After Study. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:644599. [PMID: 33935739 PMCID: PMC8080168 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.644599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are the second and third highest leading causes of disability-adjusted life-years (DALY), respectively, in Brazil. The clinical outcomes of chronic diseases are influenced by various factors. Therefore, there is a need for multifaceted interventions to achieve a decrease in the rate of DALY, with a better control of these diseases. Objective: To verify whether sustainable long-term interventions, such as health worker training and provision of health education to the patients, contribute to health improvements in patients with hypertension and diabetes from rural communities. Methods: Over a 6 month period, educational and medical interventions were provided to optimize the treatment of hypertension and diabetes. Furthermore, blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) measurements were taken at baseline and after the interventions. Results: The monitored hypertensive patients (n = 276) had a reduction of 13.4 mmHg (p = 0.021) and 5.8 mmHg (p < 0.001) in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively. Diabetic patients who were followed-up (n = 71) achieved a 0.55% (p = 0.185) reduction in HbA1c level. The desired blood pressure level (<140/90 mmHg) was achieved in 38.8% of patients with hypertension, whereas the desired level of HbA1c (<7.0% for adults and <8.0% for the elderly) was achieved in 16.9% of patients with diabetes; in addition, 38.0% had a reduction of HbA1c of at least 1%. Conclusion: The results showed that the interventions improved the blood pressure and HbA1c levels in patients with hypertension and diabetes from rural communities in a municipality in Northeast Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Caline Lemos Macedo
- Master's Program in Collective Health, Multidisciplinary Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | | | - Taciana Borges Andrade Cortes
- Master's Program in Collective Health, Multidisciplinary Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Daniela Arruda Soares
- Master's Program in Collective Health, Multidisciplinary Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Sóstenes Mistro
- Master's Program in Collective Health, Multidisciplinary Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | | | - Davi Rumel
- Department of Community Health, School of Medicine of the Municipal University of São Caetano Do Sul, São Caetano Do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marcio Galvão Oliveira
- Master's Program in Collective Health, Multidisciplinary Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
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Hirst JA, Bobrow K, Farmer A, Morgan J, Levitt N. Point-of-care HbA 1c testing in an urban primary care diabetes clinic in South Africa: a mixed methods feasibility study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e045511. [PMID: 33653762 PMCID: PMC7929845 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Monitoring and treatment of type 2 diabetes in South Africa usually takes place in primary care using random blood glucose testing to guide treatment decisions. This study explored the feasibility of using point-of-care haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing in addition to glucose testing in a busy primary care clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. SUBJECTS 185 adults aged 19-88 years with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Participants recruited to this mixed methods cohort study received a point-of-care HbA1c test. Doctors were asked to use the point-of-care HbA1c result for clinical decision-making. Qualitative interviews were held with clinical staff. RESULTS Point-of-care HbA1c test results were obtained for 165 participants of whom 109 (65%) had poor glycaemic control (>8% HbA1c, 64 mmol/mol). Medical officers reported using a combination of HbA1c and blood glucose 77% of the time for clinical decision-making. Nurses found the analyser easy to use and doctors valued having the HbA1c result to help with decision-making. DISCUSSION Our results suggest that 30% of patients may have received inappropriate medication or not received necessary additional medication if random blood glucose alone had been used in routine appointments. Clinicians valued having access to the HbA1c test result to help them make treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Hirst
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Kirsten Bobrow
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrew Farmer
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Jennie Morgan
- Metro Health Services, Cape Town, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Naomi Levitt
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Rosa LDS, Mistro S, Oliveira MG, Kochergin CN, Cortes ML, de Medeiros DS, Soares DA, Louzado JA, Silva KO, Bezerra VM, Amorim WW, Barone M, Passos LC. Cost-Effectiveness of Point-of-Care A1C Tests in a Primary Care Setting. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:588309. [PMID: 33542687 PMCID: PMC7851089 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.588309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the point-of-care A1c (POC-A1c) test device vs. the traditional laboratory dosage in a primary care setting for people living with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: The Markov model with a 10-year time horizon was based on data from the HealthRise project, in which a group of interventions was implemented to improve diabetes and hypertension control in the primary care network of the urban area of a Brazilian municipality. A POC-A1c device was provided to be used directly in a primary care unit, and for a period of 18 months, 288 patients were included in the point-of-care group, and 1,102 were included in the comparison group. Sensitivity analysis was performed via Monte Carlo simulation and tornado diagram. Results: The results indicated that the POC-A1c device used in the primary care unit was a cost-effective alternative, which improved access to A1c tests and resulted in an increased rate of early control of blood glucose. In the 10-year period, POC-A1c group presented a mean cost of US$10,503.48 per patient and an effectiveness of 0.35 vs. US$9,992.35 and 0.09 for the traditional laboratory test, respectively. The incremental cost was US$511.13 and the incremental effectiveness was 0.26, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 1,947.10. In Monte Carlo simulation, costs and effectiveness ranged between $9,663.20-$10,683.53 and 0.33-0.37 for POC-A1c test group, and $9,288.28-$10,413.99 and 0.08-0.10 for traditional laboratory test group, at 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles. The costs for nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease and the probability of being hospitalized due to diabetes presented the greatest impact on the model's result. Conclusion: This study showed that using POC-A1c devices in primary care settings is a cost-effective alternative for monitoring glycated hemoglobin A1c as a marker of blood glucose control in people living with type 2 diabetes. According to our model, the use of POC-A1c device in a healthcare unit increased the early control of type 2 diabetes and, consequently, reduced the costs of diabetes-related outcomes, in comparison with a centralized laboratory test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena de Sousa Rosa
- Program of Post-Graduation in Medicine and Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Sóstenes Mistro
- Program of Post-Graduation in Collective Health, Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Marcio Galvão Oliveira
- Program of Post-Graduation in Collective Health, Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | | | - Mateus Lopes Cortes
- Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Danielle Souto de Medeiros
- Program of Post-Graduation in Collective Health, Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Daniela Arruda Soares
- Program of Post-Graduation in Collective Health, Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - José Andrade Louzado
- Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Kelle Oliveira Silva
- Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Moraes Bezerra
- Program of Post-Graduation in Collective Health, Multidisciplinary Institute of Health, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Welma Wildes Amorim
- Departament of Natural Sciences, State University of Southwest Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Mark Barone
- Intersectoral Forum to Fight NCDs in Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos Passos
- Program of Post-Graduation in Medicine and Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
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10
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Duffy S, Norton D, Kelly M, Chavez A, Tun R, Ramírez MNDG, Chen G, Wise P, Svenson J. Using Community Health Workers and a Smartphone Application to Improve Diabetes Control in Rural Guatemala. GLOBAL HEALTH, SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2020; 8:699-720. [PMID: 33361237 PMCID: PMC7784066 DOI: 10.9745/ghsp-d-20-00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global prevalence of diabetes has nearly doubled since 1980. Seventy-five percent of patients with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries, such as Guatemala, where health care systems are often poorly equipped for chronic disease management. Community health workers (CHWs) and mobile health technology have increasingly been applied to the diabetes epidemic in these settings, although mostly in supportive rather than primary roles in diabetes management. We sought to improve diabetes care in rural Guatemala through the development of a CHW-led diabetes program and a smartphone application to provide CHWs with clinical decision support. METHODS We worked with our local partners to develop a program model and the smartphone application (using the CommCare platform) and to train CHWs. We recruited patients with type 2 diabetes living in rural communities. Program evaluation used a single-group, pre-post design. Primary outcomes were hemoglobin A1c and the percentage of patients meeting A1c goals compared with baseline. We also followed a variety of process metrics, including application reliability. RESULTS Eighty-nine patients enrolled during the study period. The hemoglobin A1c percentage decreased significantly at 3 months (-1.0; 95% CI=-1.7, -0.6), 6 months (-1.5; 95% CI=-2.2, -0.8), 9 months (-1.3; 95% CI=-2.0, -0.6), and 12 months (-1.0; 95% CI=-1.7, -0.4). The percentage of patients with A1c ≤ 8% increased significantly at 3 months (23.6% to 44.4%, P=.007), 6 months (22.0% to 44.0%, P=.015), and 9 months (23.9% to 45.7%, P=.03). CHWs and supervising physicians agreed with application medication recommendations >90% of the time. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that CHWs can safely and effectively manage diabetes with the assistance of a smartphone application and remote physician supervision. This model should be evaluated versus other standards of care and could be adapted to other low-resource settings and chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Duffy
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Derek Norton
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Mark Kelly
- University of California-Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Rafael Tun
- Hospital Obras Sociales Monseñor Gregorio Schaffer, San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala
| | - Mariana Niño de Guzmán Ramírez
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Guanhua Chen
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Paul Wise
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jim Svenson
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Emergency Medicine, Madison, WI, USA
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11
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Barroso M, Baena-Díez JM, Muñoz-Aguayo D, Díaz JL, Schröder H, Grau M. Reference ranges of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in capillary blood in the Spanish population. Prim Care Diabetes 2020; 14:768-771. [PMID: 31836306 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cross-sectional analysis describing HbA1c reference values by sex and age in a randomly selected Mediterranean general population sample. Using two methods, Point-of-Care systems and centralized laboratory, results show that HbA1c values increase with age. Almost half of the sample aged 65 years or older had median values >5.7% (prediabetes cut-off point).
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Affiliation(s)
- María Barroso
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Genetics, IMIM - Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Gornal Primary Care Centre, IDIAP Jordi Gol, Catalan Institute of Health (ICS), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; PhD Programme in Methodology of Biomedical Research and Public Health, Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Preventive Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Miguel Baena-Díez
- La Marina Primary Care Centre, IDIAP Jordi Gol, Catalan Institute of Health (ICS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Muñoz-Aguayo
- Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition, IMIM - Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Luis Díaz
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Genetics, IMIM - Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Teaching Unit of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Mar Health Park, Pompeu-Fabra University, Barcelona Public Health Agency, Spain
| | - Helmut Schröder
- Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition, IMIM - Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBEResp), Spain
| | - María Grau
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Genetics, IMIM - Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBEResp), Spain; Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain.
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12
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Motilal S. Physician related barriers towards insulin therapy at primary care centres in Trinidad: a cross-sectional study. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2020; 21:197. [PMID: 32957991 PMCID: PMC7507810 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-020-01271-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physician related factors with respect to insulin therapy can contribute to diabetes mellitus (DM) mismanagement. Patient related factors have been previously explored in a Trinidad survey. The main objective of this study was to explore primary care physicians' (PCPs) related barriers towards insulin therapy. METHODS A cross-sectional study on a convenience sample of PCPs in the public primary care system was done using an online survey. RESULTS Of the 170 PCPs contacted, 75 (44%) responded. There were 47 females (62.7%) and 28 males (37.3%) with a mean age of 35.9 yrs. Nearly 40% of physicians admitted that the education given to patients was inadequate to allow initiation of insulin therapy. Half the respondents admitted to insufficient consultation times and inadequate appointment frequency to allow for intensification of insulin therapy. Forty percent of PCPs admitted that HbA1c results were unavailable to guide their management decisions. Only 6.7% of physicians said they had access to rapid acting insulin, while 5.3% said they had access to insulin pens. CONCLUSION PCPs in Trinidad treating diabetes at the public primary care clinics face several barriers in administering proper insulin therapy. Addressing these factors can improve glycemic control in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shastri Motilal
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Champs Fleurs, Trinidad.
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13
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Allerton J, Mash R. The impact of intensified clinical care on glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes at Khayelitsha Community Health Centre, South Africa: Quasi-experimental study. Prim Care Diabetes 2020; 14:97-103. [PMID: 31564516 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2019.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim was to evaluate the effect on glycaemic control of more intensive care for patients with very uncontrolled type-2 diabetes (HbA1c>10%) at Khayelitsha Community Health Centre, South Africa. METHODS A pragmatic, quasi-experimental study. Patients with HBA1c>10% were consecutively selected into a 6-month programme of intensified care involving monthly visits to a doctor, diabetes group education, escalation of treatment, and more frequent HbA1c testing by either point-of-care (POC) or laboratory. Participants were their own controls in a retrospective analysis of usual care during the previous year. RESULTS At baseline 236 patients had a mean HbA1c of 12.1%. The mean difference in HbA1c in the intervention group was -1.1% (p<0.001). The intervention group were exposed to group diabetes education (100% vs 0%), more visits (3.8 vs 3.2, p<0.001), more HbA1c tests (2.2 vs 0.9, p<0.001). There was no difference in increased dose of insulin between the groups or between POC and standard laboratory intervention sub-groups. CONCLUSION The introduction of group diabetes education was the most likely explanation for improved glycaemic control in this poor, under-resourced, public sector, peri-urban setting. The study demonstrates a feasible approach to improving diabetes care in the South African context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Allerton
- Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Box 241, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa.
| | - Robert Mash
- Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Box 241, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa.
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Tollånes MC, Jenum AK, Berg TJ, Løvaas KF, Cooper JG, Sandberg S. Availability and analytical quality of hemoglobin A1c point-of-care testing in general practitioners’ offices are associated with better glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 58:1349-1356. [DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2020-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
It is not clear if point-of-care (POC) testing for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is associated with glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, we linked general practitioner (GP) data on 22,778 Norwegian type 2 diabetes patients to data from the Norwegian Organization for Quality Improvement of Laboratory Examinations. We used general and generalized linear mixed models to investigate if GP offices’ availability (yes/no) and analytical quality of HbA1c POC testing (average yearly “trueness score”, 0–4), as well as frequency of participation in HbA1c external quality assurance (EQA) surveys, were associated with patients’ HbA1c levels during 2014–2017.
Results
Twenty-eight out of 393 GP offices (7%) did not perform HbA1c POC testing. After adjusting for confounders, their patients had on average 0.15% higher HbA1c levels (95% confidence interval (0.04–0.27) (1.7 mmol/mol [0.5–2.9]). GP offices participating in one or two yearly HbA1c EQA surveys, rather than the maximum of four, had patients with on average 0.17% higher HbA1c levels (0.06, 0.28) (1.8 mmol/mol [0.6, 3.1]). For each unit increase in the GP offices’ HbA1c POC analytical trueness score, the patients’ HbA1c levels were lower by 0.04% HbA1c (−0.09, −0.001) (−0.5 mmol/mol [−1.0, −0.01]).
Conclusions
Novel use of validated patient data in combination with laboratory EQA data showed that patients consulting GPs in offices that perform HbA1c POC testing, participate in HbA1c EQA surveys, and maintain good analytical quality have lower HbA1c levels. Accurate HbA1c POC results, available during consultations, may improve diabetes care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette C. Tollånes
- Norwegian Organization for Quality Improvement of Laboratory Examinations (Noklus) , Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital , Bergen , Norway
| | - Anne K. Jenum
- General Practice Research Unit (AFE), Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society , University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway
| | - Tore Julsrud Berg
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine , University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway
- Department of Endocrinology, Morbid Obesity and Preventive Medicine , Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway
| | - Karianne F. Løvaas
- Norwegian Organization for Quality Improvement of Laboratory Examinations (Noklus) , Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital , Bergen , Norway
| | - John G. Cooper
- Norwegian Organization for Quality Improvement of Laboratory Examinations (Noklus) , Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital , Bergen , Norway
- Department of Medicine , Stavanger University Hospital , Stavanger , Norway
| | - Sverre Sandberg
- Norwegian Organization for Quality Improvement of Laboratory Examinations (Noklus) , Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital , Bergen , Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care , University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology , Haukeland University Hospital , Bergen , Norway
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van der Westhuizen D, Conrad N, Douglas TS, Mutsvangwa T. Engaging Communities on Health Innovation: Experiences in Implementing Design Thinking. INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY OF COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION 2020; 41:101-114. [DOI: 10.1177/0272684x19900880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Design thinking is an approach gaining momentum as a strategy for promoting empathy-driven, human-centered innovation. To evaluate the implementation of design thinking for engaging with communities about health and well-being, we undertook a qualitative analysis of an engagement between students and relevant community stakeholders during a project to develop a health intervention aimed at increasing medication compliance in an elderly community in South Africa. Major findings from this research indicated that design thinking offers opportunities for enriching community–university engagements. However, given constraints on time and procedure that are associated with the academy, the fast, dynamic style of design thinking is not optimally suited for developing the level of trust and rapport that is required for engagements in communities where social-cultural differences operate as barriers. Researchers who wish to utilize design thinking will need to devise and tailor additions to tool kits to meet the specific needs of engagements related to personal health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donné van der Westhuizen
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nailah Conrad
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tania S. Douglas
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tinashe Mutsvangwa
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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Correia JC, Lachat S, Lagger G, Chappuis F, Golay A, Beran D. Interventions targeting hypertension and diabetes mellitus at community and primary healthcare level in low- and middle-income countries:a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:1542. [PMID: 31752801 PMCID: PMC6873661 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7842-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are highly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Recent evidence on effectiveness of primary care interventions has attracted renewed calls for their implementation. This review aims to synthesize evidence pertaining to primary care interventions on these two diseases, evaluated and tested in LMICs. METHODS Two reviewers conducted an electronic search of three databases (Pubmed, EMBASE and Web of Science) and screened for eligible articles. Interventions covering health promotion, prevention, treatment, or rehabilitation activities at the PHC or community level were included. Studies published in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, from January 2007 to January 2017, were included. Key extraction variables included the 12 criteria identified by the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist and guide. The Innovative Care for Chronic Conditions Framework (ICCCF) was used to guide analysis and reporting of results. RESULTS 198 articles were analyzed. The strategies focused on healthcare service organization (76.5%), community level (9.7 %), creating a positive policy environment (3.6%) and strategies covering multiple domains (10.2%). Studies included related to the following topics: description or testing of interventions (n=81; 41.3%), implementation or evaluation projects (n=42; 21.4%), quality improvement initiatives (n=15; 7.7%), screening and prevention efforts (n=26; 13.2%), management of HTN or DM (n=13; 6.6%), integrated health services (n=10; 5.1%), knowledge and attitude surveys (n=5; 2.5%), cost-effective lab tests (n=2; 1%) and policy making efforts (n=2; 1%). Most studies reported interventions by non-specialists (n=86; 43.4%) and multidisciplinary teams (n=49; 25.5%). CONCLUSION Only 198 articles were found over a 10 year period which demonstrates the limited published research on highly prevalent diseases in LMIC. This review shows the variety and complexity of approaches that have been tested to address HTN and DM in LMICs and highlights the elements of interventions needed to be addressed in order to strengthen delivery of care. Most studies reported little information regarding implementation processes to allow replication. Given the need for multi-component complex interventions, study designs and evaluation techniques will need to be adapted by including process evaluations versus simply effectiveness or outcome evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge César Correia
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Primary and Emergency Care, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Lachat
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Primary and Emergency Care, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Grégoire Lagger
- Division of Therapeutic Patient Education for Chronic Diseases. Department of Community Medicine, Primary and Emergency Care, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - François Chappuis
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Primary and Emergency Care, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alain Golay
- Division of Therapeutic Patient Education for Chronic Diseases. Department of Community Medicine, Primary and Emergency Care, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David Beran
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Primary and Emergency Care, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
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17
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A model for point of care testing for non-communicable disease diagnosis in resource-limited countries. GLOBAL HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGY AND GENOMICS 2019; 4:e7. [PMID: 31555457 PMCID: PMC6749552 DOI: 10.1017/gheg.2019.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Non-communicable disease diagnosis frequently relies on biochemical measurements but laboratory infrastructure in low-income settings is often insufficient and distances to clinics may be vast. We present a model for point of care (POC) epidemiology as used in our study of chronic disease in the Haiti Health Study, in rural and urban Haiti. Point of care testing (POCT) of creatinine, cholesterol, and hemoglobin A1c as well as physical measurements of weight, height, and waist circumference allowed for diagnosis of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemias, and obesity. Methods and troubleshooting techniques for the data collection of this study are presented. We discuss our method of community-health worker (CHW) training, community engagement, study design, and field data collection. We also discuss the machines used and our quality control across CHWs and across geographical regions. Pitfalls tended to include equipment malfunction, transportation issues, and cultural differences. May this paper provide information for those attempting to perform similar diagnostic and screening studies using POCT in resource poor settings.
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18
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Cikomola JC, Kishabongo AS, Speeckaert MM, Delanghe JR. Diabetes mellitus and laboratory medicine in sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and perspectives. Acta Clin Belg 2019; 74:137-142. [PMID: 30029579 DOI: 10.1080/17843286.2018.1498179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is an increasing public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa with a substantial socioeconomic burden. Although laboratory medicine has been recognized as one of the six key public health functions, there are still gaps in strengthening of laboratory services in developing countries. In the last decades, a lot of progress has been made in the diagnostic field of infectious diseases, whereas the diagnosis of noncommunicable diseases is still insufficient and uneven. This article analyses the challenges encountered in diagnosing and monitoring of diabetes mellitus in sub-Saharan Africa and explores new alternative diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin C. Cikomola
- Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Antoine S. Kishabongo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Catholic University of Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Joris R. Delanghe
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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19
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Price CP, St John A. The value proposition for point-of-care testing in healthcare: HbA1c for monitoring in diabetes management as an exemplar. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 2019; 79:298-304. [PMID: 31082284 DOI: 10.1080/00365513.2019.1614211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Point-of-care testing (POCT) is a key enabling technology for disruptive and transformative innovation in healthcare, allowing tests to be performed quickly and close to the patient. This results in faster clinical decision making and new, more efficient models of care, with clinical, process and economic benefits potentially accruing to all stakeholders. Recognised barriers to the adoption of new technology such as POCT include poor understanding of current practice and thus the unmet need, the challenges of process change, and reluctance to disinvest in redundant resources resulting from improved pathway efficiency. Major contributors to this problem include a background of funding, organisation and management of healthcare that fails to recognise the complexity of a multiple stakeholder health economy seeking to become more outcomes-based and value driven. We examine the concept of a structured value proposition as a generic tool to achieve better adoption of POCT using as an example, the evidence that is available for the rapid measurement of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the management of diabetes. We highlight the key components of the value proposition, identifying the impact of the test result on all stakeholders and the metrics which are required to define current practice (e.g. a laboratory-based HbA1c testing service), in order to develop the business case and the implementation plan required to demonstrate effective adoption of a POCT-based service. We conclude that the value proposition helps to identify the potential benefits to be gained from using POCT, and the stakeholders to whom they accrue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P Price
- a Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London , London , UK
| | - Andrew St John
- b ARC Consulting , Perth , Western Australia , Australia
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20
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Lenters-Westra E, English E. Evaluation of Four HbA1c Point-of-Care Devices Using International Quality Targets: Are They Fit for the Purpose? J Diabetes Sci Technol 2018; 12:762-770. [PMID: 29921132 PMCID: PMC6134306 DOI: 10.1177/1932296818785612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Point-of-care (POC) testing is becoming increasingly valuable in health care delivery, and it is important that the devices used meet the same quality criteria as main laboratory analyzers. While external quality assessment (EQA) provides a great tool for assessing quality, many POC devices are not enrolled in these schemes and standard laboratory evaluations are needed to assess performance. METHODS The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) protocols EP-5 and EP-9 were applied to investigate imprecision, accuracy and bias. We assessed bias using the mean of 4 certified secondary reference measurement procedures (SRMPs). RESULTS The Afinion2™ and the Quo-Lab had CVs of ≤1.7 and ≤2.4% respectively in IFCC SI units (≤1.2 and ≤1.7% NGSP) and a bias ≤2 mmol/mol (≤0.2% NGSP) at 48 and 75 mmol/mol (6.5 and 9.0% NGSP). Sigma for the Afinion2 was 5.8 and for the Quo-Lab 4.0. Both methods passed the NGSP criteria with 2 instruments when compared with 4 individual SRMPs. The HbA1c 501 had a CV of 3.4% and 2.7% in IFCC SI units (2.1% and 1.7% NGSP) and a bias ≤2.4 mmol/mol (≤0.2% NGSP) and passed the NGSP criteria with 2 instruments compared with 4 individual SRMPs except for instrument 2 compared with the Tosoh G8. Sigma was 2.1. The A1Care had a sigma of 1.4 and failed all criteria mainly due to a high CV (6.2% and 4.1% in IFCC SI units [4.1% and 2.9% NGSP] at 48 and 75 mmol/mol [6.5 and 9.0% NGSP]). CONCLUSIONS The analytical performance was excellent for the Afinion2 and the Quo-Lab, acceptable for the HbA1c 501 and unacceptable for the A1Care according to different used criteria, demonstrating that whilst performance is improving there are still areas for considerable improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erna Lenters-Westra
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Isala,
Zwolle, The Netherlands
- European Reference Laboratory for
Glycohemoglobin, Location Isala, Zwolle, The Netherlands
- Erna Lenters-Westra, PhD, Isala, Dr Van
Heesweg 2, 8025 AB Zwolle, The Netherlands.
| | - Emma English
- Faculty of Medicine and Health,
University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
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Florkowski C, Don-Wauchope A, Gimenez N, Rodriguez-Capote K, Wils J, Zemlin A. Point-of-care testing (POCT) and evidence-based laboratory medicine (EBLM) - does it leverage any advantage in clinical decision making? Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2017; 54:471-494. [PMID: 29169287 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2017.1399336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Point-of-care testing (POCT) is the analysis of patient specimens outside the clinical laboratory, near or at the site of patient care, usually performed by clinical staff without laboratory training, although it also encompasses patient self-monitoring. It is able to provide a rapid result near the patient and which can be acted upon immediately. The key driver is the concept that clinical decision making may be delayed when samples are sent to the clinical laboratory. Balanced against this are considerations of increased costs for purchase and maintenance of equipment, staff training, connectivity to the laboratory information system (LIS), quality control (QC) and external quality assurance (EQA) procedures, all required for accreditation under ISO 22870. The justification for POCT depends upon being able to demonstrate that a more timely result (shorter turnaround times (TATs)) is able to leverage a clinically important advantage in decision making compared with the central laboratory (CL). In the four decades since POCT was adapted for the self-monitoring of blood glucose levels by subjects with diabetes, numerous new POCT methodologies have become available, enabling the clinician to receive results and initiate treatment more rapidly. However, these instruments are often operated by staff not trained in laboratory medicine and hence are prone to errors in the analytical phase (as opposed to laboratory testing where the analytical phase has the least errors). In some environments, particularly remote rural settings, the CL may be at a considerable distance and timely availability of cardiac troponins and other analytes can triage referrals to the main centers, thus avoiding expensive unnecessary patient transportation costs. However, in the Emergency Department, availability of more rapid results with POCT does not always translate into shorter stays due to other barriers to implementation of care. In this review, we apply the principles of evidence-based laboratory medicine (EBLM) looking for high quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses, ideally underpinned by randomized controlled trials (RCTs), looking for evidence of whether POCT confers any advantage in clinical decision making in different scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Julien Wils
- e Department of Pharmacology , University Hospital of Rouen , Rouen , France
| | - Annalise Zemlin
- f University of Stellenbosch and National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Tygerberg Hospital , Cape Town , South Africa
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Prestes M, Gayarre MA, Elgart JF, Gonzalez L, Rucci E, Paganini JM, Gagliardino JJ. Improving diabetes care at primary care level with a multistrategic approach: results of the DIAPREM programme. Acta Diabetol 2017. [PMID: 28624898 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-017-1016-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM To present results, 1 year postimplementation at primary care level, of an integrated diabetes care programme including systemic changes, education, registry (clinical, metabolic, and therapeutic indicators), and disease management (DIAPREM). METHODS We randomly selected and trained 15 physicians and 15 nurses from primary care units of La Matanza County (intervention-IG) and another 15 physicians/nurses to participate as controls (control-CG). Each physician-nurse team controlled and followed up 10 patients with type 2 diabetes for 1 year; both groups used structured medical records. Patients in IG had quarterly clinical appointments, whereas those in CG received traditional care. Statistical data analysis included parametric/nonparametric tests according to data distribution profile and Chi-squared test for proportions. RESULTS After 12 months, the dropout rate was significantly lower in IG than in CG. Whereas in IG HbA1c, blood pressure and lipid profile levels significantly decreased, no changes were recorded in CG. Drug prescriptions showed no significant changes in IG except a decrease in oral monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS DIAPREM is an expedient and simple multistrategic model to implement at the primary care level in order to decrease patient dropout and improve control and treatment adherence, and quality of care of people with diabetes.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Blood Pressure
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy
- Education, Medical, Continuing/organization & administration
- Education, Medical, Continuing/standards
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Physicians, Primary Care/education
- Physicians, Primary Care/organization & administration
- Physicians, Primary Care/standards
- Practice Patterns, Physicians'/organization & administration
- Practice Patterns, Physicians'/standards
- Primary Health Care/methods
- Primary Health Care/organization & administration
- Primary Health Care/standards
- Quality Improvement/organization & administration
- Registries
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Prestes
- CENEXA Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada (UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNLP), 60 y 120, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Maria A Gayarre
- Coordinadora del PRODIABA, Secretaría de Salud, Municipalidad de La Matanza, San Justo, Argentina
| | - Jorge F Elgart
- CENEXA Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada (UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNLP), 60 y 120, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Lorena Gonzalez
- CENEXA Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada (UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNLP), 60 y 120, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
- Escuela de Economía de la Salud y Administración de Organizaciones de Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Enzo Rucci
- CENEXA Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada (UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNLP), 60 y 120, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
- III-LIDI, Facultad de Informática, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Jose M Paganini
- INUS. Centro Interdisciplinario Universitario para la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Juan J Gagliardino
- CENEXA Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada (UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNLP), 60 y 120, 1900, La Plata, Argentina.
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