Metabolic control and morbidity of Type 2 diabetic patients in a general practice network

Methods. Glycaemic control and the prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, and micro- and macrovascular morbidity was examined in 637 Ty pe 2 diabetic patients in general practice, of whom 405 consented to underg o a more extensive examination. Results. In these 405 patients, HbA1c was greater than or equal to 7% in 56 .6%, and hypertension and dyslipidaemia were found in 59.8% and 46.5% of th e patients, respectively. The level of cardiovascular risk factors was acce ptable, according to the European guidelines, in the following proportions of patients: BMI 45.0%; total cholesterol 69.1%; HDL-cholesterol 68.1%; tri glycerides 67.8%; current blood pressure 89.8%; and smoking 21.0%. Retinopa thy was present in 12.5% and microalbuminuria in 27.0% of the patients. In all 637 patients, the prevalence of angina pectoris was 17.7%, of myocardia l infarction 11.4% and of congestive heart failure 10.7%. Conclusion. The care for Type 2 diabetic patients needs improvement and sho uld focus on cardiovascular risk factors as much as on glycaemic control.