Treatment targets in patients with type 2 diabetes set by primary care physicians from Central and Eastern Europe

Background: Primary care physicians have an important role in the care of patients with Type 2 diabetes but little is known about this issue in Central and Eastern European countries.

Objectives: To investigate the treatment goals of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) set by primary care physicians in Central and Eastern European countries and illustrate inter-country variation.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of primary care physicians randomly chosen in nine countries. A validated questionnaire was used. Physicians reported treatment goals for patients with type 2 DM.

Results: A total of 44.1% of physicians, reported the acceptance of HbA1c < 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) as a treatment goal, whilst 40% chose lower levels (< 6.1%; 43 mmol/mol). In all countries, 62% of physicians set FPG at a level of < 6.0 mmol/l. Most respondents set low BP levels as a goal of therapy (47% of physicians in all countries: BP < 130/80 mmHg and 48% < 120/80 mmHg). A TC level < 4.5 mmol/l and a LDL-C level < 2.5 mmol/l were reported as the targets for patients with diabetes by 51% and 69% of all respondents, respectively. The overall differences between all the countries were statistically significant (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: For patients with diabetes approximately half of physicians set treatment goals at levels that were recommended within the international guidelines. Most of them set treatment goals for HbA1c and BP at very low levels. Educational efforts to raise awareness about new treatment goals are needed.