Características clínicas basales y manejo de los pacientes incluidos en el estudio IBERICAN

Efficacy of a Digital Educational Intervention for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Multicenter, Randomized, Prospective, 6-Month Follow-Up Study

BACKGROUND

Adherence to therapies and metabolic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain challenging. The use of new technologies, such as telemedicine, digitalized systems, and social networks, could improve self-management and disease control.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the efficacy of a digital educational intervention for patients with T2DM, expressed as changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and body composition and evaluation of the response using validated questionnaires of satisfaction with health care professionals (Instrument for Evaluation of the Experience of Chronic Patients), Diabetes Knowledge Scale (ECODI), and adherence to treatment over 6 months of follow-up (Morisky, Green, Levine Medication Assessment Questionnaire).

METHODS

This multicenter, randomized, prospective study included adults with T2DM with poor metabolic control who started treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. Patients were randomized to digital intervention or usual care. The intervention group received education through social networks and digital tools in a structured program of healthy lifestyle changes. This was provided by a "Digital Coach" for weekly and on-demand advice and individualized support. Baseline and follow-up demographic, clinical parameter, adherence, and quality of life data were collected.

RESULTS

We included 85 patients (control: n=41; intervention: n=44). Both groups were matched regarding demographics, physical examination, insulin, and biochemical parameters. We observed a reduction in body weight (intervention: -8.7, SD 6.1 kg vs control: -4.9, SD 5.0 kg; t83=-3.13; P=.002), BMI (intervention: -3.0, SD 2.1 kg/m2 vs control: -1.8, SD 1.8 kg/m2; t83=-2.82; P=.006), and fast mass in both groups but greater in the intervention group. There were greater reductions in fasting plasma glucose (intervention: 122.6, SD 81.5 mg/dL vs control: 70.5, SD 72.9 mg/dL; t83=3.10; P=.004) and HbA1c (intervention: 3.7%, SD 1.9% vs control: 2.6%, SD 2.1%; t83=2.54; P=.006) in the intervention group. Although there was no significant change in the Spanish version of the Diabetes Quality of Life Questionnaire (EsDQOL) satisfaction score in the control group after 6 months of follow-up (0.7, SD 19.8), there was a marked reduction in EsDQOL satisfaction score in the intervention group (-13.7, SD 23.1; t83=-3.08; P=.02). According to the ECODI scale, knowledge about diabetes increased more in the intervention group (intervention: 0.3, SD 1.8 vs control: 1.5, SD 1.5; t83=-3.33; P=.001). Although the medication adherence score worsened in the control group after 6 months, it significantly improved with the intervention (control: -8% vs intervention: 13.8%; χ21=0.35; P=.01). Patients' health care experiences improved with the intervention but not with the control.

CONCLUSIONS

The digital educational intervention was effective at improving glycemic control, body composition, adherence, and patient satisfaction compared with usual care in patients with T2DM. The implementation of digital tools and social media could highly improve the multidisciplinary approach to the management of this population.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06850129; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06850129.

[Twenty-year experience in strict versus non-strict control of arterial hypertension in a health center in Spain]

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

During clinical trials effective reduction of blood pressure (BP) leads to a reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular (CV) morbimortality. Our main aim is to ascertain whether, under actual conditions of clinical practice, BP monitoring leads to a long-term reduction in CV events.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study was performed on 164 patients with hypertension (HT) selected among patients who came to family medicine consultations because of HT. An analysis was performed between patients who presented clinical BP lower than 140/90mmHg and those that had higher levels. When patients entered the study, they were followed up until a CV event occurred or up to a maximum of 20 years, at which time follow up ended.

RESULTS

Of the total of 164 patients, good control of BP was attained by 93 (56.7%), and 71 did not attain good control (42.2%). In the multivariate analysis, the only predictive variable for CV events was the lack of strict control of BP (HR: 2.93; 95% CI: 1.45-5.89; p=0.003), and the female sex was protective for CV events (HR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.18-0.74; p=0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

The fundamental predictor variable of CV morbimortality in patients with HT is the lack of HT strict control; the women also had fewer CV complications.

[Overcoming the barriers in the approach of the chronic patient]

At least one in three adults has multiple chronic conditions. The assistance of patients with chronic conditions is mandatory. This is one of the main tasks of the primary care physicians. The approach in these patients is challenging, as there are many barriers at different levels (sanitary system, healthcare professionals and patients). In addition, COVID-19 pandemic has worsened this situation even more. Therefore, it is necessary to take actions that try to improve this state. For this purpose, with the aim to find solutions/recommendations that may be helpful to attain a better diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with chronic diseases, a group of experts of SEMERGEN have tried to identify the problems in the attention to these patients, searching for potential solutions and areas of improvement. The present document has specifically focused on four prevalent chronic conditions in primary care: dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, chronic venous disease and depression.

[Baseline characteristics and clinical management of the first 3,000 patients enrolled in the IBERICAN study (Identification of the Spanish population at cardiovascular and renal risk)]

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular risk factors in Spain, as well as cardiovascular events, in Spanish adult population attended in primary care.

METHODOLOGY

IBERICAN is a longitudinal, observational, multicenter study in which patients aged 18 to 85years attended in primary care health center in Spain are being included. The obtained cohort will be followed annually for at least 5years. The estimated final sample is 7,000 patients. The baseline characteristics of the second cut (n=3,042) are presented.

RESULTS

The mean age of the subjects included is 57.9±14.6 years, and 55.5% are women. 54.9% live in urban habitat, and 57.3% have primary education. 50.3% had dyslipidemia, 47.4% hypertension, 29.7% physical inactivity, 28.2% abdominal obesity and 19% diabetes mellitus. The degree of control of hypertension, dyslipidemia and type2 diabetes was 58.5%, 25.8% and 75.9%. 28.2% have criteria for metabolic syndrome. 15.6% of patients had previous cardiovascular disease. 7.8% have a history of coronary heart disease, a glomerular filtration rate <60ml/min (CKD-EPI) 8.4%, microalbuminuria 9.6%, atrial fibrillation 5.5%, stroke 4.6%, and heart failure 2.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the population treated in primary care is relatively young, the high prevalence of risk factors, their poor control and the existence of previous cardiovascular disease will determine the impact on the prognosis of the cohort.

[Characteristics and cardiovascular events in a general population included in the RICARTO (RIesgo CARdiovascular TOledo) study: Data from the first 1,500 individuals included in the study]

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to assess cardiovascular risk (CVR) by investigating the prevalence of CVR factors (CVRF), target organ damage (TOD), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in general population of the health area of Toledo, Spain.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Epidemiological and observational study that analysed a sample from the general population aged 18years or older, randomly selected from a database of health cards stratified by age and gender. Clinical history, physical examination, and complementary tests were performed. Total blood and serum samples were frozen at -85°C to evaluate genetic studies in the future. Standard statistical analysis was performed. CVR was assessed by the SCORE scale calibrated for the Spanish population, and the Framingham Heart Study scale.

RESULTS

A total of 1,500 individuals (mean age 49.1±15.8years, 55.6% women) were included. Prevalences: dyslipidaemia 56.9% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 54.3-59.4), hypertension 33.0% (95%CI: 30.6-35.4), diabetes mellitus 8.6% (95%CI: 7.17-10.1), smoking 24.2% (95%CI; 122.0-26.4), obesity 25.3% (95%CI; 23.1-27.5), and sedentary life-style 39.4% (95%CI; 36.9-41.8). No CVRF was reported in 21.1% of cases, and 18.6% had 3-5 CVRF. TOD: electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy, 4.3%, peripheral artery disease, 10.1% (Doppler ultrasound), and 15.3% (oscillometric device), microalbuminuria, 4.3%, sub-clinical renal disease, 3.2%, and nephropathy in 3.8% (CKD-EPI). At least one CVD was reported in 9.2% of cases. A low CVR (SCORE) was present in 44.6% of individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Dyslipidaemia was found in 60% of individuals, 40% had a sedentary life-style, 30% with hypertension, 20% smoked, 20% obesity, and almost 10% with diabetes. More than a half of individuals have a moderate-high-very high risk. The prevalence of TOD and CVD are significant.

[Level at which control objectives are reached in patients in different population groups with type 2 diabetes]

INTRODUCTION

There is evidence of increased macro- and micro-vascular risk in diabetic patients. The objective of this study was to determine the level of control in patients in different population groups with type 2 diabetes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

DESIGN

Descriptive cross-sectional study.

LOCATION

Primary care. Madrid Health Service. Year: 2014.

SUBJECTS

Patients over 14 years with type 2 diabetes. Number of patientes: n=6674.

MEASUREMENTS

Variables on the degree of control (HbA1c, systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], LDL-c) and variables on patient characteristics (demographic, other cardiovascular risk factors, complications).

RESULTS

The mean age of patients with controlled HbA1c was 67.8 years vs. 62.9 years in the uncontrolled (P<.001). Patients diagnosed with hypertension have a higher percentage of control with respect to the undiagnosed in HbA1c, SBP, DBP and LDL-c: 51 vs. 37%, 62 vs. 43%, 75 vs. 47% and 57 vs. 44% respectively; diagnosed with dyslipidaemia: 51 vs. 39%, 60 vs. 49%, 70 vs. 56% and 56 vs. 46%. With a diagnosis of macroangiopathy: 46 vs. 45%, 58 vs. 54%, 71 vs. 62% and 15 vs. 60%. All differences were statistically significant (P<.001). Over 50% of patients without a diagnosis of hypertension had an SBP> 140mmHg or DBP> 90mmHg. Over 25% of patients with hypertension or DL and uncontrolled levels were not receiving drug treatment.

CONCLUSION

Control was improved in all groups, especially in younger patients, with particularly high cardiovascular risk by the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors or macroangiopathy. A significant percentage of patients with uncontrolled BP and cLDL were not diagnosed or receiving drug treatment.

[Health status, quality of life, and use of healthcare resources by patients with diabetes mellitus in Spain]

INTRODUCTION

This study analyses the health status of patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM), their health related quality of life (HRQoL) and their use of healthcare resources in Spain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A descriptive analysis was conducted using the Spanish Health National Survey (ENSE, 2012), gathering data on those patients aged 15 and over diagnosed with DM. Their health status, their HRQoL, and their use of healthcare resources were systematically compared with those of patients diagnosed with other chronic conditions (OCC), as well as a population without DM (non-DM).

RESULTS

Out of 21,007 subjects that took part, 7.4% were diagnosed with DM and 59% with OCC conditions (mean age 65.6±14.2 years with DM, 51.3±18.1 years with OCC, and 45.7±18.2 years with non-DM). When compared to non-DM and OCC, DM was statistically significantly associated with higher frequencies of hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, obesity, myocardial infraction, hospital admissions in the last year, and drug consumption, but with a lower number of visits to secondary healthcare. The mean quality adjusted life years (QALY) of patients with DM was 0.75 per year, significantly lower (P<.05) to that of individuals with OCC (0.89), and those without DM (0.92). The difference vs. non-DM remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, gender, and number of comorbidities (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In Spain, DM is associated with a high comorbidity, involves a greater loss in HRQoL than those diagnosed with other chronic conditions as a whole, and generates a significant burden on the healthcare system.

Clinical benefits of pitavastatin: focus on patients with diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes

Despite attaining LDL-cholesterol targets, many patients with diabetes remain at risk of developing cardiovascular events. In addition, treatment with statins has been associated with a slight but significant increased risk of development of diabetes, particularly with high-intensity statins. Pitavastatin is a moderate- to high-intensity statin that effectively reduces LDL-cholesterol levels. Pitavastatin provides a sustained increase of HDL-cholesterol levels that may exhibit a neutral or positive effect on glucose metabolism, may not increase the risk of new-onset diabetes, may exhibit positive effects on renal function and urinary albumin excretion and the risk of drug–drug interactions is low. Therefore, it seems that pitavastatin should preferentially be considered in the treatment of dyslipidemia in diabetic patients or at risk of developing diabetes.