[Effects of incorporating group visits on the metabolic control of type 2 diabetic patients].

BACKGROUND A better metabolic control is an important objective of health care in diabetes mellitus. This objective has been achieved elsewhere, incorporating group visits to the usual care of diabetic patients. AIM To evaluate the effects of a primary care group visit model after 9 and 15 months of implementation, on the metabolic control of diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Two cohorts of type 2 diabetic patients, matched by sex, age and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were studied. Group visits (monthly medical consultation and one hour sessions with group interaction on the same day) were implemented in 600 patients and routine visits (monthly one-to-one medical consultation) were implemented in 601 patients. The evolution on FPG, cholesterol, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBF) and body mass index (BMI) were compared. RESULTS At 15 months of follow up, mean FPG was lower in patients with group visits compared to those in usual individual care (155.3 +/- 59.5 and 175.7 +/- 67.7 mg/dL respectively, p <0.01). SBP and DBF were also lower in patients on group visits (123.6 +/- 13.4 and 127.5 +/-12.8 mmHg, respectively for systolic pressure, p <0.01 and 73.5 +/-8.5 and 79.4 +/-6.3 mmHg, respectively for diastolic pressure, p <0.01). No differences between groups were observed for blood cholesterol or BMI. CONCLUSIONS Incorporation of group visits in type 2 diabetic patients improved metabolic control and blood pressure, compared to the usual individual care model.