Improved glycaemic control--an unintended benefit of a nurse-led cardiovascular risk reduction clinic

AIMS: One hundred and ten patients with Type 2 diabetes were referred into a nurse-led cardiovascular risk reduction clinic. The primary aim of the clinic was to optimize blood pressure (BP) control and address cardiovascular risk factors.

METHODS: Those attending outpatient clinics were referred into a nurse-led cardiovascular risk reduction clinic if BP was above 140/85 mmHg. There was no intervention strategy designed in the nurse clinic protocol to improve glycaemic control.

RESULTS: Following attendance at the clinic, there was a significant improvement in HbA1c noted when patients were reviewed 9 months later. HbA1c improved from 8.7 +/- 1.6 to 8.1% +/- 1.6% (P < 0.001) in the whole cohort. Further analysis showed that, after excluding those who had received intervention to improve glycaemic control from another source, during the same period there remained a significant improvement in the non-intervention group of patients.

CONCLUSION: Frequent regular contact and health education in a nurse-led clinic to reduce cardiovascular risk may improve HbA1c in the absence of any specific intervention to improve glycaemic control.