Impact of a Diabetes Disease Management Clinic on the Total Glycosylated Hemoglobin of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a diabetes disease management clinic (DDMC) on the total glycosylated hemoglobin of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: A Veterans Affairs Health Care System where patient care was provided either by traditional medical management or by a pharmacist or nurse practitioner in a diabetes disease management clinic. PATIENTS: 81 veterans with type 2 diabetes mellitus managed with oral antidiabetic agents alone. These patients were divided into two groups: 1) those who were initiated on self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) by their primary care provider (control group); and 2) those who began receiving care in the DDMC when they initiated 5MBG (treatment group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in total glycosylated hemoglobin value from baseline values. RESULTS: The median baseline total glycosylated hemoglobin values were similar between the two groups (11.5% vS.11.4%, P=0.550). Patients enrolled in the DDMC achieved a signifi...