Decentralized Management of Diabetes Mellitus by General Patrician

Abstract

<b>Introduction</b>: In Senegal, the frequency of diabetes mellitus is estimated at 3.2% and its management by the general patrician (gp) is dissatisfied. The objective was to evaluate the decentralized monitoring of diabetes mellitus and other cardiovascular risk factors by a trained general practician. <b>Patients and methods</b>: It was a retrospective, descriptive study conducted from June 1, 2013 to 31 May, 2015 in Dakar, where included the files of subjects with diabetes mellitus regularly followed. The data collected were epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic. <b>Results</b>: It was of 125 diabetics patients with a mean age of 56.4 years old. At the inclusion, their diabetes had a mean duration of 6.3 years and a mean average HbA1c of 10.4%. The complications were a neuropathy in 58 cases (46.4%), an arteritis in 46 cases (36.8%), a nephropathy in 16 cases (12.8%) and a retinopathy in 28 cases (22.4%). Other cardiovascular risk factors were an arterial hypertension in 74 cases (59.2%), smoking in 11 cases (8.8%), kidney disease in 16 cases (12.8%), and LDL-cholesterol > 1.6 g/l in 39 cases (31.2%). In total, 87 patients (69.6%) were at high cardiovascular risk and among them, 81.6% had LDL-cholesterol > 1g/l. At inclusion, anti-diabetic treatment was oral mono-therapy in 53 cases (42.4%), an insulin therapy in 49 cases (39.2%). After 12 month of follow-up, the dual therapy anti-diabetic was increased from 13.6% to 34.4%. The others associated drugs were anti-hypertensives in 72 cases (57.6%), statins in 29 cases (23.2%) and anti-platelet agent in 46 cases (36.8%). Only 31.2% of the patients with nephropathy were under the renin angiotensin system blockers. Statins and the anti-platelet agents were prescribed respectively at 25.2% and 47.1% of the 87 patients at high cardiovascular risk. During follow-up, the target HbA1c < 7% was reached in 76 cases (60.8%). <b>Conclusion</b>: our study shows the importance and the interest of a trained general practician for the management of non-communicable diseases. However, it would be necessary to strengthen training in the care of other cardiovascular risk factors.