Effect of applying a diabetes risk score on lifestyle counselling and shared decision-making in primary care: A pragmatic cluster randomised trial.

Aims: There is a lack of studies on the impact of diabetes risk scores on diabetes prevention. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of applying a non-invasive diabetes risk score as component of routine health checks on counselling intensity and shared decision-making (SDM) in primary care.

Methods: Cluster randomised trial, in which primary care physicians (n = 30) enrolled participants (n = 315) with statutory health insurance without known diabetes, ≥ 35 years of age with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27.0 kg/m². In the intervention group, the German Diabetes Risk Score (GDRS) was applied as add-on to the standard routine health check. Outcomes were length and intensity of the counselling interview and the process of SDM. Analysis was by intention-to-treat using mixed models.

Results: In the intervention group, higher odds were found for a more intensive counselling interview regarding physical activity, healthy diet and body weight (e.g., participants` perspective: odds ratios between 1.8 and 2.5) compared to controls. Analysis of total SDM score showed a more participative counselling interview in the intervention than in the control group.

Conclusions: GDRS use in routine primary care improves intensity of lifestyle counselling and process of SDM already in people with moderate diabetes risk.