Interpersonal Continuity of Care May Help Delay Progression to Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Background: The association between interpersonal continuity of care (CoC) and progression from the prediabetic state to Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) remains unknown.

Aim: To evaluate the association between interpersonal CoC and the progression to T2D among persons with prediabetes.

Design and setting: A retrospective cohort study using electronic health record (EHR) data from 6620 patients at Geisinger, a large rural health care system in Danville, PA.

Methods: Cox regression methods were used to estimate the hazard ratio associated with progression to T2D within 3-years of being diagnosed with prediabetes.

Results: One additional visit with the primary care provider most frequently seen by the patient is associated with 14% decreased risk (HR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.85, 0.87; P < .001) of transitioning to type 2 diabetes within 3 years of being diagnosed with prediabetes.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates an association between increased interpersonal CoC after a person is diagnosed with prediabetes and a reduced risk of progressing to T2D within 3 years.

Keywords: Access to Primary Care; Continuity of Patient Care; Electronic Health Records; Prediabetic State; Primary Health Care; Retrospective Studies; Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.