Department of Veterans Affairs' Quality Enhancement Research Initiative for Diabetes Mellitus

Trends in Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Early Glycemic Control Among Veterans Receiving Care in the Veterans Health Administration, 2008-2019

OBJECTIVE

Racial and ethnic disparities in glycemic control among non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) veterans with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have been reported. This study examined trends in early glycemic control by race and ethnicity to understand how disparities soon after T2D diagnosis have changed between 2008 and 2019 among cohorts of U.S. veterans with newly diagnosed T2D.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We estimated the annual percentage of early glycemic control (average A1C <7%) in the first 5 years after diagnosis among 837,023 veterans (95% male) with newly diagnosed T2D in primary care. We compared early glycemic control by racial and ethnic group among cohorts defined by diagnosis year (2008-2010, 2011-2013, 2014-2016, and 2017-2018) using mixed-effects models with random intercepts. We estimated odds ratios of early glycemic control comparing racial and ethnic groups with NHW, adjusting for age, sex, and years since diagnosis.

RESULTS

The average annual percentage of veterans who achieved early glycemic control during follow-up was 73%, 72%, 72%, and 76% across the four cohorts, respectively. All racial and ethnic groups were less likely to achieve early glycemic control compared with NHW veterans in the 2008-2010 cohort. In later cohorts, NHB and Hispanic veterans were more likely to achieve early glycemic control; however, Hispanic veterans were also more likely to have an A1C ≥9% within 5 years in all cohorts. Early glycemic control disparities for non-Hispanic Asian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native veterans persisted in cohorts until the 2017-2018 cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall early glycemic control trends among veterans with newly diagnosed T2D have been stable since 2008, but trends differed by racial and ethnic groups and disparities in very poor glycemic control were still observed. Efforts should continue to minimize disparities among racial and ethnic groups.

Evaluation of a Care Coordination/Home-Telehealth Program for Veterans with Diabetes

We evaluated a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) care coordination/ hometelehealth (CC/HT) programon the utilization of health care services and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in veterans with diabetes. Administrative records of 445 veterans with diabetes were reviewed to compare health care service utilization in the 1-year period before and 1-year period postenrollment and also examined self-reported HRQL at enrollment and 1 year later. Multivariate analyses indicated a statistically significant reduction in the proportion of patients who were hospitalized (50% reduction), emergency room use (11% reduction), reduction in the average number of bed days of care (decreased an average of 3.0 days), and improvement in the HRQL role-physical functioning, bodily pain, and social functioning. The results need to be interpreted with caution because we used a single-group study design that may be influenced by regression to the mean. Ideally, future research should use a randomized controlled trial design.

Geographic Variation in Rosiglitazone Use Surrounding FDA Warnings in the Department of Veterans Affairs

BACKGROUND

Geographic variation in the use of prescription drugs, particularly those deemed harmful by the FDA, may lead to variation in patient exposure to adverse drug events. One such drug is the glucose-lowering drug rosiglitazone, for which the FDA issued a safety alert on May 21, 2007, following the publication of a meta-analysis that suggested a 43% increase in the risk of myocardial infarction with the use of rosiglitazone. This alert was followed by a black box warning on August 14, 2007, that was updated 3 months later. While large declines have been documented in rosiglitazone use in clinical practice, little is known about how the use of rosiglitazone and other glucose-lowering drugs varied within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), surrounding the FDA alerts. Understanding this variation within integrated health care systems is essential to formulating policies that enhance patient protection and quality of care.

OBJECTIVE

To document variation in the use of rosiglitazone and other glucose- lowering drugs across 21 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of drug use patterns for all major diabetes drugs in a national cohort of 550,550 veterans with diabetes from 2003 to 2008. This included the time periods when rosiglitazone was added to (November 2003) and removed from (October 2007) the VA national formulary (VANF). We employed multivariable logistic regression models to statistically estimate the association between a patient's location and the patient's odds of using rosiglitazone.

RESULTS

Aggregate rosiglitazone use increased monotonically from 7.7%, in the quarter it was added to the VANF (November 4, 2003), to a peak of 15.3% in the quarter when the FDA issued the safety alert. Rosiglitazone use decreased sharply afterwards, reaching 3.4% by the end of the study period (September 30, 2008). The use of pioglitazone, another glucose-lowering drug in the same class as rosiglitazone, was low when the FDA issued the safety alert (0.4%) but increased sharply afterwards, reaching 3.6% by the end of the study period. Insulin use increased monotonically; metformin use remained relatively flat; and sulfonylurea use exhibited a general declining trend throughout the study period. Statistically significant geographic variation was observed in rosiglitazone use throughout the study period. The prevalence range, defined as the range of minimum to maximum use across VISNs was 3.7%-12.4% in the first quarter (January 1 to March 31, 2003); 1.0%-5.5% in the last quarter of study period (July 1 to September 30, 2008); and reached a peak of 9.6%-25.5% in the quarter when the FDA safety alert was issued (April 1 to March 31, 2007). In 5 VISNs, peak rosiglitazone use occurred before the FDA issued the safety alert. The odds ratio of using rosiglitazone in a given VISN varied from 0.55 (95% CI = 0.52-0.59; VISN 10) to 1.58 (95% CI = 1.50-1.66; VISN 15), with VISN 1 being the reference region. The variation was higher in the periods after the FDA issued the safety alert. Much less variation was observed in the use of pioglitazone, metformin, sulfonylurea, and insulin.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show statistically significant variation in the way VISNs within the VA responded to the FDA alerts, suggesting a need for mechanisms that disseminate information and guidelines for drug use in a consistent and reliable manner. Further study of regions that adopted ideal practices earlier may provide lessons for regional leadership and practice culture within integrated health care systems.

Ruggiero K, G. Knapp R, Egede LE. Tablet-Aided BehavioraL intervention EffecT on Self-management skills (TABLETS) for Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) show that behavioral lifestyle interventions are effective in improving diabetes management and that comprehensive risk factor management improves cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. The role of technology has been gaining strong support as evidence builds of its potential to improve diabetes management; however, evaluation of its impact in minority populations is limited. This study intends to provide early evidence of a theory-driven intervention, Tablet-Aided BehavioraL intervention EffecT on Self-management skills (TABLETS), using real-time videoconferencing for education and skills training. We examine the potential for TABLETS to improve health risk behaviors and reduce CVD risk outcomes among a low-income African American (AA) population with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

The study is a two-arm, pilot controlled trial that randomizes 30 participants to the TABLETS intervention and 30 participants to a usual care group. Blinded outcome assessments will be completed at baseline, 2.5 months (immediate post-intervention), and 6.5 months (follow-up). The TABLETS intervention consists of culturally tailored telephone-delivered diabetes education and skills training delivered via videoconferencing on tablet devices, with two booster sessions delivered via tablet-based videoconferencing at 3 months and 5 months to stimulate ongoing use of the tablet device with access to intervention materials via videoconferencing slides and a manual of supplementary materials. The primary outcomes are physical activity, diet, medication adherence, and self-monitoring behavior, whereas the secondary outcomes are HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), BP, CVD risk, and quality of life.

DISCUSSION

This study provides a unique opportunity to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a theory-driven, tablet-aided behavioral intervention that utilizes real-time videoconferencing technology for education and skills training on self-management behaviors and quality of life among a high-risk, low-income AA population with an uncontrolled dyad or triad of CVD risk factors (diabetes with or without hypertension or hyperlipidemia). The intervention leverages the use of novel technology for education and skill-building to foster improved diabetes self-management. The findings of this study will inform the process of disseminating the intervention to a broader and larger sample of people and can potentially be refined to align with clinical workflows that target a subsample of patients with poor diabetes self-management.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered in April 2014 with the United States National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials Registry (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02128854), available online at: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02128854 .

A diabetes peer support intervention that improved glycemic control: mediators and moderators of intervention effectiveness

OBJECTIVE In a randomized trial, a guided diabetes peer support intervention improved glycemic control (A1c), with a difference in A1c change between groups of 0.58% (p = 0.004). The current study examined whether improvements in insulin uptake and perceived diabetes social support mediated the intervention's impact on A1c. We also examined potential moderation by patients' health literacy, diabetes social support, or diabetes distress. METHODS We conducted secondary analyses for 212 type 2 diabetes patients participating in the trial using accepted methods for testing mediation and moderation effects.

RESULTS

Roughly half (49%, 95% CI: 3-80%) of the A1c effect was mediated by increased insulin use, while changes in diabetes social support had a negligible impact. A1c impacts varied across subgroups defined by baseline diabetes social support and functional health literacy (both p < 0.01). The intervention was particularly beneficial among patients with low baseline diabetes support or literacy levels. The intervention had a greater impact on A1c among patients with more frequent engagement in peer support calls (p < 0.01). DISCUSSION Patients receiving increased peer support had improved glycemic control largely due to their greater likelihood of initiating insulin. Greater intervention engagement was associated with stronger effects. The intervention had its greatest benefits among patients with low support or poorer health literacy.

Measures of adherence to oral hypoglycemic agents at the primary care clinic level: the role of risk adjustment

BACKGROUND

Prior research found that in the Veterans Affairs health care system (VA), the proportion of patients adherent to oral hypoglycemic agents varies from 50% to 80% across primary care clinics. This study examined whether variation in patient and facility characteristics determined those differences.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of 444,418 VA primary care patients with diabetes treated in 559 clinics in fiscal year (FY) 2006-2007. Patients' adherence to each oral hypoglycemic agent was computed for the first 3 months of FY2007, and averaged across agents to produce an adherence score for the patient's overall regimen. Patients with an adherence score over 0.8 were defined as adherent. Risk adjustment used hierarchical logistic regression accounting for patient factors and facility effects by clustering patients within clinics and clinics within parent VA medical centers. We then assessed the influence of risk adjustment using observed-to-expected (O/E) ratios computed for each clinic.

RESULTS

The mean unadjusted proportion of adherent patients in clinics was 0.715 (interdecile range 0.559-0.826). The percent variation in patient's likelihood of being adherent explained at the patient, clinic, and parent VA medical center levels was 2.94%, 0.27%, and 0.76%, respectively. The mean clinic-level observed-to-expected ratio was 1.001 (interdecile range 0.975-1.027).

CONCLUSIONS

The variation in the proportion of patients adherent across clinics remained large after risk adjustment. As patient and facility effects explained only 4% of the variance in adherence, comparing clinics based on unadjusted scores is a reasonable starting point unless more predictive patient, provider, and facility factors are identified.

Monitoring and prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome in military veterans with serious mental illness

Background

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality among patients with serious mental illness (SMI) and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome—a constellation of cardiovascular risk factors—is significantly higher in these patients than in the general population. Metabolic monitoring among patients using second generation antipsychotics (SGAs)—a risk factor for metabolic syndrome—has been shown to be inadequate despite the release of several guidelines. However, patients with SMI have several factors independent of medication use that predispose them to a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Our study therefore examines monitoring and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with SMI, including those not using SGAs.

Methods and Findings

We retrospectively identified all patients treated at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center with diagnoses of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder during 2005–2006 and obtained demographic and clinical data. Incomplete monitoring of metabolic syndrome was defined as being unable to determine the status of at least one of the syndrome components. Of the 1,401 patients included (bipolar disorder: 822; schizophrenia: 222; and schizoaffective disorder: 357), 21.4% were incompletely monitored. Only 54.8% of patients who were not prescribed SGAs and did not have previous diagnoses of hypertension or hypercholesterolemia were monitored for all metabolic syndrome components compared to 92.4% of patients who had all three of these characteristics. Among patients monitored for metabolic syndrome completely, age-adjusted prevalence of the syndrome was 48.4%, with no significant difference between the three psychiatric groups.

Conclusions

Only one half of patients with SMI not using SGAs or previously diagnosed with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were completely monitored for metabolic syndrome components compared to greater than 90% of those with these characteristics. With the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome seen in this population, there appears to be a need to intensify efforts to reduce this monitoring gap.

Variation in quality of care indicators for diabetes in a national sample of veterans and non-veterans

BACKGROUND

Veterans have a disproportionately higher burden of type 2 diabetes. It is unclear whether veterans with diabetes have better self-care behaviors or receive better quality of care than non-veterans. The objective was to examine differences in diabetes care between veterans and non-veterans.

METHODS

Data analysis was performed with respondents from the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (n = 21,111 with diabetes). Veterans were those who reported U.S. military service and no longer on active duty. Self-care behaviors included daily fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity level, self-foot checks, and home glucose testing. Quality of care indicators included provider actions over the past 12 months (2+ office visits, 2+ glycosylated hemoglobin checks, 1+ foot exams, 1+ dilated eye exams, daily aspirin use, receiving flu or pneumonia vaccine). Multiple logistic regression using STATA version 10 (Stata Corp., College Station, TX) analyzed differences by veteran status on each quality indicator, controlling for sociodemographics and diabetes education.

RESULTS

Veterans comprised 14.2% of the sample, and 12.4% had diabetes compared to 6.7% of non-veterans. In final adjusted models, veterans were significantly more likely to check their feet (odds ratio [OR] 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09, 1.64), get a dilated eye exam (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.11, 1.66), receive aspirin (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.04, 1.65), get a flu shot (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09, 1.61), and ever get a pneumonia shot (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.12, 1.70).

CONCLUSIONS

Veterans appear to have better self-care behaviors and receive better preventive care than non-veterans. However, future efforts need to focus on boosting self-care to improve diabetes outcomes.

Experience and management of chronic pain among patients with other complex chronic conditions

OBJECTIVE

Managing multiple chronic health conditions is a significant challenge. The purpose of this study was to examine the experience and management of chronic pain among adult patients with other complex chronic conditions, specifically diabetes and heart failure (HF).

METHODS

We surveyed 624 US Department of Veterans Affairs primary care patients in 3 study groups: 184 with HF, 221 with diabetes, and 219 general primary care users. We compared health status and function between those with and without chronic pain within the 3 study groups. Among those with chronic pain, we compared pain location, severity, and treatment across groups.

RESULTS

More than 60% in each group reported chronic pain, with the majority reporting pain in the back, hip, or knee. In all groups, patients with chronic pain were more likely to report fair or poor health than those without pain (P<0.05). In the HF and diabetes groups, a higher percentage of patients with pain were not working because of health reasons. Of those with pain, more than 70% in each group took medications for pain; more than one-half managed pain with rest or sedentary activities; and less than 50% used exercise for managing their pain.

DISCUSSION

Chronic pain is a prevalent problem that is associated with poor functioning among multimorbid patients. Better management of chronic pain among complex patients could lead to significant improvements in health status, functioning, and quality of life and possibly also improve the management of their other major chronic health conditions.

Extreme makeover: Transformation of the veterans health care system

The veterans health care system administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was established after World War I to provide health care for veterans who suffered from conditions related to their military service. It has grown to be the nation's largest integrated health care system. As the system grew, a number of factors contributed to its becoming increasingly dysfunctional. By the mid-1990s, VA health care was widely criticized for providing fragmented and disjointed care of unpredictable and irregular quality, which was expensive, difficult to access, and insensitive to individual needs. Between 1995 and 1999, the VA health care system was reengineered, focusing especially on management accountability, care coordination, quality improvement, resource allocation, and information management. Numerous systemic changes were implemented, producing dramatically improved quality, service, and operational efficiency. VA health care is now considered among the best in America, and the VA transformation is viewed as a model for health care reform.

Organizational contexts of primary care approaches for managing problem drinking

Little is known about the organizational contexts associated with different primary care (PC) approaches to managing PC patients with drinking problems. Relying upon the Chronic Care Model and a theoretically based taxonomy of health care systems, we identified organizational factors distinguishing PC practices using PC-based approaches (managed by PC providers, mental health specialists, or jointly with specialty services) versus referral-based management in the Veterans Affairs health care system. Data were obtained from a national survey of 218 PC practices characterizing usual management approaches as well as practices' leadership, delivery system design, information system, and decision support characteristics and from a national survey of substance use disorder specialty programs. PC- and referral-based practices did not differ on the sufficiency of their structural resources, physician staffing, or on the availability of specialty services. However, PC-based practices were found to take more responsibility for managing patients' chronic conditions and had more staff for decision support activities.

Improving eye care for veterans with diabetes: an example of using the QUERI steps to move from evidence to implementation: QUERI Series

BACKGROUND

Despite being a critical part of improving healthcare quality, little is known about how best to move important research findings into clinical practice. To address this issue, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) developed the Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI), which provides a framework, a supportive structure, and resources to promote the more rapid implementation of evidence into practice.

METHODS

This paper uses a practical example to demonstrate the use of the six-step QUERI process, which was developed as part of QUERI and provides a systematic approach for moving along the research to practice pipeline. Specifically, we describe a series of projects using the six-step framework to illustrate how this process guided work by the Diabetes Mellitus QUERI (DM-QUERI) Center to assess and improve eye care for veterans with diabetes.

RESULTS

Within a relatively short time, DM-QUERI identified a high-priority issue, developed evidence to support a change in the diabetes eye screening performance measure, and identified a gap in quality of care. A prototype scheduling system to address gaps in screening and follow-up also was tested as part of an implementation project. We did not succeed in developing a fully functional pro-active scheduling system. This work did, however, provide important information to help us further understand patients' risk status, gaps in follow-up at participating eye clinics, specific considerations for additional implementation work in the area of proactive scheduling, and contributed to a change in the prevailing diabetes eye care performance measure.

CONCLUSION

Work by DM-QUERI to promote changes in the delivery of eye care services for veterans with diabetes demonstrates the value of the QUERI process in facilitating the more rapid implementation of evidence into practice. However, our experience with using the QUERI process also highlights certain challenges, including those related to the hybrid nature of the research-operations partnership as a mechanism for promoting rapid, system-wide implementation of important research findings. In addition, this paper suggests a number of important considerations for future implementation work, both in the area of pro-active scheduling interventions, as well as for implementation science in general.

Longitudinal approaches to evaluate health care quality and outcomes: the Veterans Health Administration diabetes epidemiology cohorts

OBJECTIVE

The Institute of Medicine proposed recently that, while current pay for performance measures should target multiple dimensions of care, including measures of technical quality, they should transition toward longitudinal and health-outcome measures across systems of care. This article describes the development of the Diabetes Epidemiology Cohorts (DEpiC), which facilitates evaluation of intermediate "quality of care" outcomes and surveillance of adverse outcomes for veterans with diabetes served by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) over multiple years.

METHODS

The Diabetes Epidemiology Cohorts is a longitudinal research database containing records for all diabetes patients in the VHA since 1998. It is constructed using data from a variety of national computerized data files in the VHA (including medical encounters, prescriptions, laboratory tests, and mortality files), Medicare claims data for VHA patients, and large patient surveys conducted by the VHA. Rigorous methodology is applied in linking and processing data into longitudinal patient records to assure data quality.

RESULTS

Validity is demonstrated in the construction of the DEpiC. Adjusted comparisons of disease prevalence with general population estimates are made. Further analyses of intermediate outcomes of care demonstrate the utility of the database. In the first example, using growth curve models, we demonstrated that hemoglobin A1c trends exhibit marked seasonality and that serial cross-sectional outcomes overestimate the improvement in population A1c levels compared to longitudinal cohort evaluation. In the second example, the use of individual level data enabled the mapping of regional performance in amputation prevention into four quadrants using calculated observed to expected major and minor amputation rates. Simultaneous evaluation of outliers in all categories of amputation may improve the oversight of foot care surveillance programs.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of linked, patient level longitudinal data resolves confounding case mix issues inherent in the use of serial cross-sectional data. Policy makers should be aware of the limitations of cross-sectional data and should make use of longitudinal patient databases to evaluate clinical outcomes.

The association between health insurance coverage and diabetes care; data from the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

OBJECTIVE

To describe the association between type of health insurance coverage and the quality of care provided to individuals with diabetes in the United States.

DATA SOURCE

The 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

STUDY DESIGN

Our study cohort included individuals who reported a diagnosis of diabetes (n=11,647). We performed bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses by age greater or less than 65 years to examine the association of health insurance coverage with diabetes-specific quality of care measures, controlling for the effects of race/ethnicity, annual income, gender, education, and insulin use.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Most individuals with diabetes are covered by private insurance (39 percent) or Medicare (44 percent). Among persons under the age of 65 years, 11 percent were uninsured. The uninsured were more likely to be African American or Hispanic and report low incomes. The uninsured were less likely to report annual dilated eye exams, foot examinations, or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) tests and less likely to perform daily blood glucose monitoring than those with private health insurance. We found few differences in quality indicators between Medicare, Medicaid, or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as compared with private insurance coverage. Persons who received care through the VA were more likely to report taking a diabetes education class and HbA1c testing than those covered by private insurance.

CONCLUSIONS

Uninsured adults with diabetes are predominantly minority and low income and receive fewer preventive services than individuals with health insurance. Among the insured, different types of health insurance coverage appear to provide similar levels of care, except for higher rates of diabetes education and HbA1c testing at the VA.

Causes of preventable visual loss in type 2 diabetes mellitus: an evaluation of suboptimally timed retinal photocoagulation

To examine circumstances surrounding suboptimally timed retinal photocoagulation, we reviewed the medical records of 238 patients who had received photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy at one of three large referral centers. Forty-three percent (95% confidence interval, 36% to 49%) of cases were rated as probably or definitely suboptimally timed (i.e., patient could have benefited from earlier photocoagulation). About one third of cases were due to patients going many years without screening (> 3 years), and two thirds were associated with surveillance problems (failures to achieve close follow-up for known retinopathy). We found that suboptimal timing of photocoagulation was common but was not due to patients going between 13 and 36 months between screening visits, suggesting that current performance measures, which focus on annual retinal examinations, may be requiring wasteful care while not addressing a major quality problem.

Brief report: the burden of diabetes therapy: implications for the design of effective patient-centered treatment regimens

BACKGROUND

Management of diabetes, and in particular blood glucose, can be complex and burdensome.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate patient views of the burdens of therapy and its impact on self-management.

PATIENTS

Veteran patients with type 2 diabetes.

DESIGN

Mailed survey.

MEASUREMENTS

Patients described their views of the burden of diabetes treatments, adherence, and clinical and demographic status. Factors associated with ratings of burden and adherence to therapy were examined using multivariate regression methods.

RESULTS

The response rate was 67% (n=1,653). Patients viewed pills as the least burdensome treatment and insulin as the most burdensome. Ratings of the burden of insulin were lower if a patient had prior experience with therapy. Adherence to prescribed therapy varied substantially; for example, patients followed medication recommendations more closely than other areas of self-management. Multivariate analyses showed that the main predictor of adherence was patients' ratings of the burden of therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Injected insulin regimens are viewed as highly burdensome by patients, although this burden is attenuated by experience. Adherence to self-management is strongly and independently correlated with views of treatment burden. The burden of diabetes-related treatments may be a source of suboptimal glucose control seen in many care settings. Providers should consider the burden of treatment for a particular patient and its impact on adherence as part of a decision-making process to design effective treatment regimens.

Barriers to following dietary recommendations in Type 2 diabetes

AIMS

To evaluate barriers to following dietary recommendations in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

We conducted focus groups and surveys in urban and suburban VA and academic medical centres. For the written survey, a self-administered questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 446 patients with diabetes. For the focus groups, six groups of patients with diabetes (three urban, three suburban) were conducted, with 6-12 participants in each group. The focus groups explored barriers across various types of diabetes self-management; we extracted all comments relevant to barriers that limited patients' ability to follow a recommended diet.

RESULTS

The written survey measured the burden of diabetes therapies (on a seven-point rating scale). Moderate diet was seen as a greater burden than oral agents (median 1 vs. 0, P = 0.001), but less of a burden than insulin (median 1 vs. 4, P < 0.001). A strict diet aimed at weight loss was rated as being similarly burdensome to insulin (median 4 vs. 4, P = NS). Despite this, self-reported adherence was much higher for both pills and insulin than it was for a moderate diet. In the focus groups, the most commonly identified barrier was the cost (14/14 reviews), followed by small portion sizes (13/14 reviews), support and family issues (13/14 reviews), and quality of life and lifestyle issues (12/14 reviews). Patients in the urban site, who were predominantly African-American, noted greater difficulties communicating with their provider about diet and social circumstances, and also that the rigid schedule of a diabetes diet was problematic.

CONCLUSIONS

Barriers to adherence to dietary therapies are numerous, but some, such as cost, and in the urban setting, communication with providers, are potentially remediable. Interventions aimed at improving patients' ability to modify their diet need to specifically address these areas. Furthermore, treatment guidelines need to consider patients' preferences and barriers when setting goals for treatment.

Physician Process and Patient Outcome Measures for Diabetes Care

BACKGROUND

Optimal diabetes management relies on providers adhering to evidence-based practice guidelines in the processes of care delivery and patients adhering to self-management recommendations to maximize patient outcomes.

PURPOSE

To explore: (1) the degree to which providers adhere to the guidelines; (2) the extent of glycemic, lipid, and blood pressure control in patients with diabetes; and (3) the roles of organizational and patient population characteristics in affecting both provider adherence and patient outcome measures for diabetes.

DESIGN

Secondary data analysis of provider adherence and patient outcome measures from chart reviews, along with surveys of facility quality managers.

SAMPLE

We sampled 109 Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs).

RESULTS

Analyses indicated that provider adherence to diabetes guidelines (ie, hemoglobin A1c, foot, eye, renal, and lipid screens) and patient outcome measures (ie, glycemic, lipid, and hypertension control plus nonsmoking status) are comparable or better in VAMCs than reported elsewhere. VAMCs with higher levels of provider adherence to diabetes guidelines had distinguishing organizational characteristics, including more frequent feedback on diabetes quality of care, designation of a guideline champion, timely implementation of quality-of-care changes, and greater acceptance of guideline applicability. VAMCs with better patient outcome measures for diabetes had more effective communication between physicians and nurses, used educational programs and Grand Rounds presentations to implement the diabetes guidelines, and had an overall patient population that was older and with a smaller percentage of black patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare organizations can adopt many of the identified organizational characteristics to enhance the delivery of care in their settings.

Case management for patients with poorly controlled diabetes: a randomized trial

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of a collaborative case management intervention for patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes on glycemic control, intermediate cardiovascular outcomes, satisfaction with care, and resource utilization.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized controlled trial at two Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers involving 246 veterans with diabetes and baseline hemoglobin A(1C) (HbA(1C)) levels >or=7.5%. Two nurse practitioner case managers worked with patients and their primary care providers, monitoring and coordinating care for the intervention group for 18 months through the use of telephone contacts, collaborative goal setting, and treatment algorithms. Control patients received educational materials and usual care from their primary care providers.

RESULTS

At the conclusion of the study, both case management and control patients remained under poor glycemic control and there was little difference between groups in mean exit HbA(1C) level (9.3% vs. 9.2%; difference = 0.1%; 95% confidence interval: -0.4% to 0.7%; P = 0.65). There was also no evidence that the intervention resulted in improvements in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level or blood pressure control or greater intensification in medication therapy. However, intervention patients were substantially more satisfied with their diabetes care, with 82% rating their providers as better than average compared with 64% of patients in the control group (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

An intervention of collaborative case management did not improve key physiologic outcomes for high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes. The type of patients targeted for intervention, organizational factors, and program structure are likely critical determinants of the effectiveness of case management. Health systems must understand the potential limitations before expending substantial resources on case management, as the expected improvements in outcomes and downstream cost savings may not always be realized.

Diabetes process and outcome measures in the Department of Veterans Affairs

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate performance of process and outcome measures in the care of patients with diabetes seen in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Retrospective audits of records and databases were conducted on randomly selected patients with diabetes over 5 years (1995 [baseline] and 1997-2000) in 22 VA networks. Performance on diabetes-specific and preventive processes was measured.

RESULTS

Nationally, significant improvements over time were observed for all measures (P < 0.001). For example, the percentage of patients receiving a dilated retinal examination rose from 44% in 1995 to 67% in 2000. The percentage of patients who received a urinary protein test rose from 23% in 1997 to 54% in 2000. Those who received influenza vaccination rose from 34% in 1995 to 78% in 2000. However, there was significant regional variation among all measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to diabetes-specific and preventive care measures in the VA improved from 1997 to 2000 compared with a 1995 baseline. The improvement occurred in a setting of the provision of guidelines, the contractual setting of specific targets, and the timely feedback of results to medical center and network directors. Future studies are needed to determine whether adherence to these measures will decrease the rates of complications in VA patients with diabetes.

Quality improvement initiatives: issues in moving from diabetes guidelines to policy

OBJECTIVE

To outline the principles that direct the Veterans Affairs (VA) Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) dedicated to diabetes quality improvement (QUERI-DM).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We discuss the VA initiatives aimed at improving diabetes care for veterans as well as general issues that should be considered in quality improvement initiatives. We specifically describe some of the epidemiological, statistical, and organizational issues that have guided our quality improvement (QI) programs.

RESULTS

The five principles that have guided the QUERI-DM process are: 1) treating clinical guidelines and goals distinct from quality standards and quality improvement priorities; 2) targeting high-risk patients and high-impact quality issues; 3) profiling processes over outcomes; 4) targeting processes that will improve patient outcomes; and 5) paying attention to the loci of practice variation.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors recommend that all five principles be considered when moving from practice guidelines to performance measures and QI initiatives. Targeting high-priority problems and high-risk groups can greatly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of QI interventions.

Diabetes and renal disease in veterans

OBJECTIVE

To describe the frequency and sequelae of diabetic renal disease in veterans who receive health care from the Veterans Administration (VA).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Veterans with a diagnosis of diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, other kidney diseases, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were identified by diagnosis codes from national VA databases for FY1998. Data were obtained and analyzed for prevalence of renal disease, comorbid conditions, and 1-year mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 44,671 (10.7%) of the 415,910 veterans with diabetes had a concomitant diagnosis of any renal disease. The average age was 67 years; 98% were male and 60% were white. The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy was 6.0% (n = 25,263). ESRD secondary to diabetes was present in 4.2% (17,636) of subjects. The age-standardized prevalence of diabetes and any renal disease was 72.6/1,000 persons and differed by race (white 76.1/1,000, black 103.4/1,000 persons). Diabetes-associated ESRD prevalence was higher among black versus white veterans and male versus female veterans. One-year age-standardized mortality was 10.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Nephropathy is prevalent in veterans with diabetes. Greater mortality is observed among those with renal disease compared with those without renal disease. Additional surveillance is needed to identify persons likely to progress to diabetic nephropathy and to plan for appropriate and timely health care for these individuals.

Health insurance status, cost-related medication underuse, and outcomes among diabetes patients in three systems of care

BACKGROUND

Chronically ill patients often experience difficulty paying for their medications and, as a result, use less than prescribed.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to determine the relationship between patients with diabetes' health insurance coverage and cost-related medication underuse, the association between cost-related underuse and health outcomes, and the role of comorbidity in this process.

RESEARCH DESIGN

We used a patient survey with linkage to insurance information and hemoglobin A1C (A1C) test results.

PATIENTS

We studied 766 adults with diabetes recruited from 3 Veterans Affairs (VA), 1 county, and 1 university healthcare system.

MAIN OUTCOMES

Main outcomes consisted of self-reported medication underuse as a result of cost, A1C levels, symptom burden, and Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short-Form physical and mental functioning scores.

RESULTS

Fewer VA patients reported cost-related medication underuse (9%) than patients with private insurance (18%), Medicare (25%), Medicaid (31%), or no health insurance (40%; P <0.0001). Underuse was substantially more common among patients with multiple comorbid chronic illnesses, except those who used VA care. The risk of cost-related underuse for patients with 3+ comorbidities was 2.8 times as high among privately insured patients as VA patients (95% confidence interval, 1.2-6.5), and 4.3 to 8.3 times as high among patients with Medicare, Medicaid, or no insurance. Individuals reporting cost-related medication underuse had A1C levels that were substantially higher than other patients (P <0.0001), more symptoms, and poorer physical and mental functioning (all P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Many patients with diabetes use less of their medication than prescribed because of the cost, and those reporting cost-related adherence problems have poorer health. Cost-related adherence problems are especially common among patients with diabetes with comorbid diseases, although the VA's drug coverage may protect patients from this increased risk.

Health care resource utilization associated with a diabetes center and a general medicine clinic

OBJECTIVE

Studies have proposed that the features of diabetes clinics may decrease hospital utilization and costs by reducing complications and providing more efficient outpatient care. We compared the health care utilization associated with a diabetes center (DC) and a general medicine clinic (GMC).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

An urban academic medical center.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS

Type 2 diabetes patients (N = 601) under care in a DC and GMC before March 1996.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

We compared baseline patient characteristics and outpatient care for the period of March 1996 to August 1997. Using administrative data from March 1996 to October 2000, we compared the probability of a hospitalization, length of stay, costs of hospitalizations, the probability of an emergency room visit, and costs of emergency room visits. Diabetes center patients had a longer mean duration of diabetes (12 years vs 6 years, P <.01), more baseline microvascular disease (65% vs 44%, P <.01), and higher baseline glucose levels (hemoglobin A1c 8.6% vs 7.9%, P <.01) than GMC patients. Diabetes center patients received more intensive outpatient care directed toward glucose monitoring and control. In all crude and adjusted analyses of hospitalizations and emergency room visits, we found no statistically significant differences for inpatient utilization or cost outcomes comparing clinic populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes center attendance did not have a definitive positive or negative impact on inpatient resource utilization over a 4-year period. However, DC patients had more severe diabetes but no greater hospital utilization compared with GMC patients. Clear demonstration of the clinical and financial benefits of features of diabetes centers will require long-term controlled trials of interventions that promote comprehensive diabetes care, including cardiovascular prevention.

Racial Disparities in Diabetes Care Processes, Outcomes, and Treatment Intensity

BACKGROUND

Black Americans with diabetes have a higher burden of illness and mortality than do white Americans. However, the extent to which differences in medical care processes and treatment intensity contribute to poorer diabetes outcomes is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To assess racial disparities in the quality of diabetes care processes, intermediate outcomes, and treatment intensity.

METHODS

We conducted an observational study of 801 white and 115 black patients who completed the Diabetes Quality Improvement Project survey (response rate=72%) in 21 Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities using survey data; medical record information on receipt of diabetes services (A1c, low-density lipoprotein [LDL], nephropathy screen, and foot and dilated eye examinations), and intermediate outcomes (glucose control measured by A1c; cholesterol control measured by LDL; and achieved level of blood pressure); and pharmacy data on filled prescriptions.

RESULTS

There were no racial differences in receipt of an A1c test or foot examination. Blacks were less likely than whites to have LDL checked in the past 2 years (72% vs. 80%, P<0.05) and to have a dilated eye examination (50% vs. 63%, P<0.01). Even after adjusting for patients' age, education, income, insulin use, diabetes self-management, duration, severity, comorbidities, and health services utilization, racial disparities in receipt of an LDL test and eye examination persisted. After taking into account the nested structure of the data using a random intercepts model, blacks remained significantly less likely to have LDL testing than whites who received care within the same facility (68% vs. 83%, P<0.01). In contrast, there were no longer differences in receipt of eye examinations, suggesting that black patients were more likely to be receiving care at facilities with overall lower rates of eye examinations. After adjusting for patient characteristics and facility effects, black patients were substantially more likely than whites to have poor cholesterol control (LDL > or =130) and blood pressure control (BP > or =140/90 mm Hg) (P<0.01). Among those with poor blood pressure and lipid control, blacks received as intensive treatment as whites for these conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

We found racial disparities in some diabetes care process and intermediate outcome quality measures, but not in intensity of treatment for those patients with poor control. Disparities in receipt of eye examinations were the result of black patients being more likely to receive care at lower-performing facilities, whereas for other quality measures, racial disparities within facilities were substantial.

Quality of care for patients diagnosed with diabetes at screening

OBJECTIVE

Screening for diabetes has the potential to be an effective intervention, especially if patients have intensive treatment of their newly diagnosed diabetes and comorbid hypertension. We wished to determine the process and quality of diabetes care for patients diagnosed with diabetes by systematic screening.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 1,253 users of the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center aged 45-64 years who did not report having diabetes were screened for diabetes with an HbA(1c) test. All subjects with an HbA(1c) level > or =6.0% were invited for follow-up blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) measurements. A case of unrecognized diabetes was defined as HbA(1c) > or =7.0% or FPG > or =126 mg/dl. For each of the 56 patients for whom we made a new diagnosis of diabetes, we notified the patient's primary care provider of this diagnosis. One year after diagnosis, we reviewed these patients' medical records for traditional diabetes performance measures as well as blood pressure. Follow-up blood pressure was also ascertained from medical record review for all subjects with HbA(1c) > or =6.0% who did not have diabetes. We compared blood pressure changes between patients with and without diabetes.

RESULTS

Among patients diagnosed with diabetes at screening, 34 of 53 (64%) had evidence of diet or medical treatment for their diabetes, 42 of 53 (79%) had HbA(1c) measured within the year after diagnosis, 32 of 53 (60%) had cholesterol measured, 25 of 53 (47%) received foot examinations, 29 of 53 (55%) had eye examinations performed by an eye specialist, and 16 of 53 (30%) had any measure of urine protein. The mean blood pressure decline over the year after diagnosis for patients with diabetes was 2.3 mmHg; this decline was similar to that found for 183 patients in the study without diabetes (change in blood pressure, -3.6 mmHg). At baseline, 48% of patients with diabetes had blood pressure <140/90, compared with 40% of patients without diabetes; 1 year later, the same 48% of patients with diabetes had blood pressure <140/90, compared with 56% of patients without diabetes (P = 0.31 for comparing the change in percent in control between groups).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with diabetes diagnosed at screening achieve less tight blood pressure control than similar patients without diabetes. Primary care providers do not appear to manage diabetes diagnosed at screening as intensively as long-standing diabetes and do not improve the management of hypertension given the new diagnosis of diabetes.

Whom should we profile? Examining diabetes care practice variation among primary care providers, provider groups, and health care facilities

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the amount of variation in diabetes practice patterns at the primary care provider (PCP), provider group, and facility level, and to examine the reliability of diabetes care profiles constructed using electronic databases.

DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING

Clinical and administrative data obtained from the electronic information systems at all facilities in a Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) integrated service network for a study period of October 1997 through September 1998.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a cohort study. The key variables of interest are different types of diabetes quality indicators, including measures of technical process, intermediate outcomes, and resource use.

DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS

A coordinated registry of patients with diabetes was constructed by integrating laboratory, pharmacy, utilization, and primary care provider data extracted from the local clinical information system used at all VA medical centers. The study sample consisted of 12,110 patients with diabetes, 258 PCPs, 42 provider groups, and 13 facilities.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

There were large differences in the amount of practice variation across levels of care and for different types of diabetes care indicators. The greatest amount of variance tended to be attributable to the facility level. For process measures, such as whether a hemoglobin A1c was measured, the facility and PCP effects were generally comparable. However, for three resource use measures the facility effect was at least six times the size of the PCP effect, and for inter-mediate outcome indicators, such as hyperlipidemia, facility effects ranged from two to sixty times the size of the PCP level effect. A somewhat larger PCP effect was found (5 percent of the variation) when we examined a "linked" process-outcome measure linking hyperlipidemia and treatment with statins). When the PCP effect is small (i.e., 2 percent), a panel of two hundred diabetes patients is needed to construct profiles with 80 percent reliability.

CONCLUSIONS

little of the variation in many currently measured diabetes care practices is attributable to PCPs and, unless panel sizes are large, PCP profiling will be inaccurate. If profiling is to improve quality, it may be best to focus on examining facility-level performance variations and on developing indicators that promote specific, high-priority clinical actions.

Aspirin use and counseling about aspirin among patients with diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Despite being a safe, effective therapy for lowering cardiovascular risk, only 20% of diabetic patients were using aspirin in the early 1990s. This study examines current physician practices and the use of aspirin therapy by individuals with diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A random sample of diabetic patients receiving care in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system were surveyed during January-March 2000. The association between aspirin counseling, aspirin use, and reported coronary vascular disease (CVD) and classical CVD risk factors were examined using logistic regression. The effect of increasing aspirin use on risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiovascular mortality was demonstrated by simulation.

RESULTS

Seventy-one percent of respondents reported being counseled about aspirin use, and 66% were taking daily aspirin. Individuals with known CVD were more likely to be counseled (odds ratio [OR] 4.9, 95% CI 2.9-8.1) and to use aspirin (2.1, 1.2-3.7). The factor most strongly associated with aspirin use was having been counseled about aspirin therapy by a doctor. We estimate that for this population, increasing daily aspirin use to 90% could prevent an additional 11,000 MIs and potentially save >8,000 lives.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with previous reports, a substantial proportion of these diabetic patients have been counseled about and use aspirin. Most clinicians recognize aspirin as an important treatment for patients with preexisting coronary disease. However, since diabetes is now considered a CVD equivalent, it is imperative that clinicians include counseling about aspirin therapy as a care priority for all their diabetic patients, as this simple intervention may prevent many cardiovascular events and deaths.

Perioperative cardiovascular risk stratification of patients with diabetes who undergo elective major vascular surgery

BACKGROUND

The importance of diabetes mellitus (DM) as an independent risk factor for perioperative cardiac morbidity after vascular surgery is controversial. This study examined the impact of DM on perioperative outcomes and length of stay in patients who underwent major vascular surgery.

METHODS

Patients who underwent elective aortic reconstruction (n = 2792), lower extremity bypass (n = 3838), carotid endarterectomy (n = 5522), and major amputation (n = 3883) from 1997 to 1999 were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Outcomes assessed were death, cardiovascular complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and length of stay. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to control for patient demographics, procedure type, comorbidities, and diabetic complications.

RESULTS

Before adjustment for potential confounders, patients with diabetes had a higher incidence rate of perioperative death (3.9% versus 2.6%; P =.001) and cardiovascular complications (3.3% versus 2.6%; P =.01) when compared with patients without diabetes. After controlling for comorbid conditions, procedure type, and diabetic complications, only patients with DM who underwent treatment with insulin were at statistically increased risk for cardiovascular complications (odds ratio [OR], 1.48; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.91). Neither DM treated with insulin (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.41) nor DM treated with oral medications (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.73-1.28) was an independent risk factor for death. Important independent risk factors for death included several conditions that are commonly associated with diabetes, including proteinuria, elevated creatinine level, history of congestive heart failure, and history of cerebrovascular accident. DM was also found to increase length of stay by as much as 38% even after adjustment for comorbidities.

CONCLUSION

Patients with diabetes have a higher incidence rate of death and cardiovascular complications. However, after controlling for specific comorbid conditions, the only independent association was between patients with insulin treatment and the risk of cardiovascular complications. DM does not appear to be an independent risk factor for postoperative mortality. All patients with diabetes, regardless of insulin use, have a prolonged length of stay after major vascular surgery.

The relative importance of physician communication, participatory decision making, and patient understanding in diabetes self-management

OBJECTIVE

Patients' self-management practices have substantial consequences on morbidity and mortality in diabetes. While the quality of patient-physician relations has been associated with improved health outcomes and functional status, little is known about the impact of different patient-physician interaction styles on patients' diabetes self-management. This study assessed the influence of patients' evaluation of their physicians' participatory decision-making style, rating of physician communication, and reported understanding of diabetes self-care on their self-reported diabetes management.

DESIGN

We surveyed 2,000 patients receiving diabetes care across 25 Veterans' Affairs facilities. We measured patients' evaluation of provider participatory decision making with a 4-item scale (Provider Participatory Decision-making Style [PDMstyle]; alpha = 0.96), rating of providers' communication with a 5-item scale (Provider Communication [PCOM]; alpha = 0.93), understanding of diabetes self-care with an 8-item scale (alpha = 0.90), and patients' completion of diabetes self-care activities (self-management) in 5 domains (alpha = 0.68). Using multivariable linear regression, we examined self-management with the independent associations of PDMstyle, PCOM, and Understanding.

RESULTS

Sixty-six percent of the sample completed the surveys (N = 1,314). Higher ratings in PDMstyle and PCOM were each associated with higher self-management assessments (P < .01 in all models). When modeled together, PCOM remained a significant independent predictor of self-management (standardized beta: 0.18; P < .001), but PDMstyle became nonsignificant. Adding Understanding to the model diminished the unique effect of PCOM in predicting self-management (standardized beta: 0.10; P =.004). Understanding was strongly and independently associated with self-management (standardized beta: 0.25; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

For these patients, ratings of providers' communication effectiveness were more important than a participatory decision-making style in predicting diabetes self-management. Reported understanding of self-care behaviors was highly predictive of and attenuated the effect of both PDMstyle and PCOM on self-management, raising the possibility that both provider styles enhance self-management through increased patient understanding or self-confidence.