Multicomponent Integrated Intervention on Metabolic Control and Quality of Life in Type 2 Diabetes: DIABEMPIC Program

Overview

Type 2 diabetes is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality rate in Mexico. Although important advances in treatment strategies have been developed in type 2 diabetes mellitus, large gaps exist in achieving quality of care. Few studies have determined the effect of multicomponent interventions in low and middle income countries. The DIABEMPIC program is a quality of care initiative developed by primary care public health services of the Mexico City Government to propitiate diabetes empowerment in people living with type 2 diabetes through an intervention comprised by an interdisciplinary team care, shared medical appointment scheme, patient-centered care approach, structured diabetes education program, promotion of self-management, audit, and guaranteed supply of anti-diabetic medication. The DIABEMPIC program target population consists of patients with type 2 diabetes, without advanced chronic complications, who have regular care in the public primary care services in Mexico city.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease with disabling, deadly, and costly consequences for individuals, families, and national health care systems. Proper diabetes management in people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus focuses on reducing the risks for macrovascular and microvascular complications through controlling blood pressure, lipid levels, and blood glucose levels, and avoiding tobacco. Although important advances in pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies have been developed, large gaps exist in achieving care goals, particularly in real-world practice and low- and middle- income countries. Barriers to care in T2DM patients may include lack of medical care, poverty, long distances or lack of time to get medical attention, lack of confidence, and inadequate social support, among others. Achievement of diabetes care goals: normal glycated hemoglobin, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol is associated with better health outcomes, including lower risks of complicating events and death. The DIABEMPIC program is a quality of care initiative developed by primary care public health services of the Mexico City Government to propitiate diabetes empowerment in people living with type 2 diabetes through a 6-months intervention comprised by an interdisciplinary team care, shared medical appointment scheme, patient-centered care approach, structured diabetes education program, promotion of self-management, audit, , and guaranteed supply of anti-diabetic medication. The DIABEMPIC program target population consists of patients with type 2 diabetes, without advanced chronic complications, who have regular care in the public primary care services in Mexico city. Hypothesis: Participation in the Diabetes Empowerment and Improvement of Care strategy allows reaching diabetes care goals. General objective: To quantify diabetes care goals achievement at the end of the intervention and one year after finishing the comprehensive care program designed to propitiate diabetes empowerment at Clínica Especializada en el Manejo de la Diabetes of the Mexico City Government. Specific objectives: To measure the program impact through the following variables: glycated hemoglobin, blood lipids, arterial pressure, self-care activities, diabetes knowledge, health related quality of life, incidence of complications and use of hospital services. Goals: To improve diabetes care through this multicomponent intervention in order to prevent complications and and enhance quality of life in people with diabetes, but also to expand the care model to primary care health units in Mexico City. Methodology: The DIABEMPIC program is a quality of care initiative developed by primary care public health services of the Mexico City Government to propitiate diabetes empowerment in people living with type 2 diabetes through an intervention comprised by an interdisciplinary team care, shared medical appointment scheme, patient-centered care approach, structured diabetes education program, promotion of self-management, audit, and guaranteed supply of anti-diabetic medication. Intervention consists of visits at Clínica Especializada en el Manejo de la Diabetes to attend individual and group sessions in a shared medical appointment model by an interdisciplinary case management team. The program last five months and visits occur every 2 weeks according to the needs assessed by the interdisciplinary team. Interdisciplinary team include: endocrinology, diabetes educator, nutritionist, podiatrist, ophthalmologist, psychologist, social worker and dentist. At each visit standardized interventions based in clinical practice guidelines are executed. At the initial, last visit and yearly visit preset indicators are evaluated, including: weight, blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, lipid profile, creatinine, albumin/creatinin index in urine sample and validated questionaires related to diabetes self-care (Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities) and Health related quality of life (EuroQOL-5Q-5L). The effect of the intervention will be determined on the improvement on metabolic parameters, as well as in self care activities and quality of life using a "before and after design". As a secondary analysis, results will be compared with the population in the wait-list receiving routine care in primary care units. Expected results: In case of demonstrating its effectiveness, DIABEMPIC program is considered to be expanded in order to allow more people living with diabetes to receive the benefits of a Multicomponent intervention in Mexico City.