Glucose Testing and Follow-Up in Primary Care
Author Information
Author(s): Lisa M Kern, Mark A Callahan, David J Brillon, Maryelena Vargas, Alvin I Mushlin
Primary Institution: Weill Medical College, Cornell University
Hypothesis
What are the rates and predictors of glucose testing in primary care for patients without known diabetes?
Conclusion
Most patients received glucose tests, but many abnormal results were not followed up, indicating a need for better evaluation of abnormal glucose values.
Supporting Evidence
- 78% of patients had at least 1 glucose test ordered.
- Older age, non-white ethnicity, and family history of diabetes were significant predictors of glucose testing.
- Only 50% of abnormal glucose values received follow-up action from physicians.
Takeaway
Doctors tested a lot of patients for diabetes, but they often didn't check back on patients with abnormal results, which is important for catching diabetes early.
Methodology
A retrospective cohort study analyzing medical records of 301 patients over a 3-year period.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on physician documentation and the study being conducted at a single institution.
Limitations
The study may not be generalizable to other settings and had missing data for some variables.
Participant Demographics
Average age 40 years, 60% female, 41% minority ethnicity, 87% with commercial insurance.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.99 – 4.70
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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