Randomised controlled trial of intensive multifactorial treatment for cardiovascular risk in patients with screen-detected type 2 diabetes: 1-year data from the ADDITION Netherlands study

Background

A growing body of evidence suggests that earlier diagnosis and treatment of diabetes may be beneficial; however, definitive evidence is lacking.

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of an intensified multifactorial treatment on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with screen-detected type 2 diabetes.

Design of study

Randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Seventy-nine general practices in the southwestern region of the Netherlands.

Method

In this randomised trial, patients diagnosed with diabetes by screen-detection were assigned to intensified (n = 255) or routine treatment (n = 243), and followed over 1 year. Intensified treatment consisted of pharmacological treatment combined with lifestyle education to achieve haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) <7.0%, blood pressure <135/85 mmHg, and cholesterol <5.0 mmol/l (4.5 mmol/l if cardiovascular disease was present). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed using the Short Form (SF)-36. Analyses were performed using generalised estimating equations models.

Results

Changes in body mass index were 0.2 (routine care) versus −1.4 kg/m² (intensified treatment), P<0.001; systolic blood pressure −19 versus −33 mmHg, P<0.001; diastolic blood pressure −7 versus −12 mmHg, P<0.001; HbA1c −0.9% versus −1.1%, P = 0.03; cholesterol −0.5 versus −1.2 mmol/l, P<0.001; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol 0.1 versus 0.1 mmol/l, P = 0.26; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol −0.5 versus −1.0 mmol/l, P<0.001; triglycerides −0.3 versus −0.4 mmol/l, P = 0.71. No difference in HRQoL between the two groups was reported.

Conclusion

Intensified multifactorial treatment of patients with screen-detected diabetes in general practice reduces cardiovascular risk factor levels significantly without worsening HRQoL.