Barbara Daly

Increased risk of ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes in women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus, a target group in general practice for preventive interventions: A population-based cohort study

Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with developing type 2 diabetes, but very few studies have examined its effect on developing cardiovascular disease. Methods and findings We conducted a retrospective cohort study utilizing a large primary care database in the United Kingdom. From 1 February 1990 to 15 May 2016, 9,118 women diagnosed with GDM were identified and randomly matched with 37,281 control women by age and timing of pregnancy (up to 3 months). Adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular disease. Women with GDM were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (IRR = 21.96; 95% CI 18.31–26.34) and hypertension (IRR = 1.85; 95% CI 1.59–2.16) after adjusting for age, Townsend (deprivation) quintile, body mass index, and smoking. For ischemic heart disease (IHD), the IRR was 2.78 (95% CI 1.37–5.66), and for cerebrovascular disease 0.95 (95% CI 0.51–1.77; p-value = 0.87), after adjusting for the above covariates and lipid-lowering medication and hypertension at baseline. Follow-up screening for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors was poor. Limitations include potential selective documentation of severe GDM for women in primary care, higher surveillance for outcomes in women diagnosed with GDM than control women, and a short median follow-up postpartum period, with a small number of outcomes for IHD and cerebrovascular disease. Conclusions Women diagnosed with GDM were at very high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and had a significantly increased incidence of hypertension and IHD. Identifying this group of women in general practice and targeting cardiovascular risk factors could improve long-term outcomes.

Foot examinations of diabetes patients by primary health care nurses in Auckland, New Zealand

AIMS To identify factors associated with patients receiving foot examinations by primary health care nurses. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 287 randomly sampled primary health care nurses, from a total of 1091 in Auckland, completed a postal self-administered questionnaire and telephone interview. Biographical and diabetes management details were collected for 265 diabetes patients consulted by the nurses on a randomly selected day. RESULTS A response rate of 86% was achieved. Nurses examined patients feet in 46% of consultations. Controlling for demographic variables, foot examinations were associated with age, odds ratio (1.25, 95% CI 0.57-2.74) for patients aged 51-65 years and >66 years (2.50, 1.08-5.75) compared with those ≤50 years, consultations by district compared with practice nurses (14.23, 95% CI 3.82-53.05), special programme consultations compared with usual follow-up consults (8.81, 95% CI 2.99-25.93) and length of consultation (1.89, 0.72-4.97) for 15-30 min and (4.45, 95% CI 1.48-13.41) >30 min compared with consultations ≤15 min, or for wound care (2.58, 1.01-6.61). CONCLUSIONS Diabetes foot examinations by primary health care nurses varies greatly, and are associated with characteristics of the patient (age, need for wound care) and the consultation (district nurses, diabetes programme and duration).

Do primary health care nurses address cardiovascular risk in diabetes patients

AIMS To identify factors associated with assessment and nursing management of blood pressure, smoking and other major cardiovascular risk factors by primary health care nurses in Auckland, New Zealand. METHODS Primary health care nurses (n = 287) were randomly sampled from the total (n=1091) identified throughout the Auckland region and completed a self-administered questionnaire (n = 284) and telephone interview. Nurses provided details for 86% (n =265) of all diabetes patients they consulted on a randomly selected day. RESULTS The response rate for nurses was 86%. Of the patients sampled, 183 (69%) patients had their blood pressure measured, particularly if consulted by specialist (83%) and practice (77%) nurses compared with district (23%, p = 0.0003). After controlling for demographic variables, multivariate analyses showed patients consulted by nurses who had identified stroke as a major diabetes-related complication were more likely to have their blood pressure measured, and those consulted by district nurses less likely. Sixteen percent of patients were current smokers. Patients consulted by district nurses were more likely to smoke while, those >66 years less likely. Of those who wished to stop, only 50% were offered nicotine replacement therapy. Patients were significantly more likely to be advised on diet and physical activity if they had their blood pressure measured (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Measurement of blood pressure and advice on diet or physical activity were not related to patients cardiovascular risk profile and management of smoking cessation was far from ideal. Education of the community-based nursing workforce is essential to ensure cardiovascular risk management becomes integrated into diabetes management.

Trends in the primary health care nursing workforce providing diabetes care in Auckland, New Zealand: A cross-sectional survey

AIMS To describe trends from 2006-8 to 2016 in demographic, education and work settings of the primary health care nursing workforce who provide diabetes care in the Auckland region. METHODS A total of 1416 practice, Accident and Medical, district and diabetes specialist nurses were identified who provide community-based care. Of those, 459 were randomly selected and 336 were interviewed in 2016, and were compared with 287 nurses interviewed in 2006-8. RESULTS A 73% response rate was attained in 2016. Compared with nurses in 2006-8, primary health care nurses in 2016 were younger, less experienced, more likely to be Asian, undertook more post-graduate education, worked more in Accident and Medical Clinics and worked in larger practices with ≥4 doctors. However, less worked with a dietitian or received visits from specialist nurses compared with nurses in 2006-8. Significantly more nurses in 2016 had their own room for administrative work and the ability to email patients suggesting greater autonomy. CONCLUSIONS Major demographic, educational and workplace changes have occurred in the Auckland primary health care nursing workforce from 2006-8 to 2016. A significant increase in practice nurses and a large decrease in the number of diabetes specialist nurses were evident, in the Auckland region.

Diabetes knowledge of primary health care and specialist nurses in a major urban area

AIM AND OBJECTIVES To examine trends since a previous 2006-2008 survey in diabetes knowledge held by primary health care nurses and their use of national diabetes guidelines, perceived ability to advise diabetes patients and preferences for further diabetes education. BACKGROUND The obesity epidemic has led to a rapid increase in the prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and to greater expectations for an expanded role for primary health care nurses in the prevention and community management of diabetes. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire and telephone interview and adheres to the STROBE guidelines. METHODS All nurses who provide community-based care in a major urban area were identified, and stratified by group, prior to random selection to participate in the study. A total of 1,416 practice, district (home care) and specialist nurses were identified who provide community-based care. Of the 459 who were randomly selected, 336 (73%) participated in 2016 and were compared with a representative sample of 287 nurses surveyed in 2006-2008. RESULTS Compared with nurses in 2006-2008, significantly more nurses in 2016 used diabetes guidelines, knew that stroke was a diabetes-related complication, had a greater understanding of the pathology of diabetes and reported having sufficient knowledge to advise patients on laboratory results and improving outcomes through lifestyle changes. Despite these improvements, in 2016, only 24% of nurses could state that stroke was a complication of type 2 diabetes, only 37% felt sufficiently knowledgeable to advise patients on medications, and <20% could state that hypertension, smoking and the dyslipidaemia profile were important modifiable risk factors. CONCLUSION There have been improvements in nurses knowledge but gaps remain for cardiovascular outcomes and associated modifiable risk factors and medication management. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Education programmes should focus on improving cardiovascular risk management in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Quantification of diabetes consultations by the main primary health care nurse groups in Auckland, New Zealand.

BACKGROUND Diabetes prevalence continues to increase, with most diabetes patients managed in primary care. AIM This report quantifies the number of diabetes consultations undertaken by primary healthcare nurses in Auckland, New Zealand. METHODS Of 335 primary healthcare nurses randomly selected, 287 (86%) completed a telephone interview in 2006-2008. FINDINGS On a randomly sampled day (from the past seven) for each nurse, 42% of the nurses surveyed (n=120) consulted 308 diabetes patients. From the proportion of nurses sampled in the study, it is calculated that the number of diabetes patients consulted by primary healthcare nurses per week in Auckland between September 2006 and February 2008 was 4210, with 61% consulted by practice, 23% by specialist and 16% by district nurses. These findings show that practice nurses carry out the largest number of community diabetes consultations by nurses. Their major contribution needs to be incorporated into future planning of the community management of diabetes.