Outcomes of pharmacist-managed diabetes care services in a community health center

Abstract

Purpose: The outcomes of pharmacist-managed diabetes care services in a community health center were studied.

Methods: Eligible patients were over age 18 years and had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients were randomly assigned by the clinical pharmacist and nurse to the intervention group (n = 76) or control group (n = 73). Patients in the intervention group were enrolled in a pharmacist-managed diabetes care program. Patients in the control group received the standard diabetes care. The primary endpoint was reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)); secondary outcome measures included weight loss, an improved body mass index, decreased blood pressure, and an improved lipid panel. Quality-of-life measures (health level, satisfaction, impact, worry about disease, and worry about social and vocational issues) were also assessed.

Results: Demographic differences between groups were not remarkable. Mean HbA(1c) levels fell significantly (p < 0.05) from baseline to nine months in both groups. A difference of 1.0 was reported between the groups' HbA(1c) levels (95% confidence interval, 0.08-1.78; p < 0.05). Satisfaction level improved from 63.7 to 77.4 in the intervention group, which was significant when compared with the control group, whose satisfaction score improved from 57.0 to 63.4 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who received pharmacist-managed diabetes care demonstrated improved HbA(1c), systolic blood pressure, and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels and quality-of-life measures and met treatment goals more often than patients receiving standard care.