Managing type 2 diabetes in France: the ECODIA survey

In order to describe the profile and medical management of type 2 diabetes patients in France, a descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in 1999 among a national random sample of 311 general practitioners and 51 specialists. A practitioner questionnaire was designed to collect information on a representative sample of 4,119 patients presenting with type 2 diabetes. Data collected included demographic and clinical information and a full description of diabetes management over a 6-month retrospective period. Over 50% of the patients were more than 67 years old; 54% were male. Diabetes had been diagnosed 8.9 years earlier on average, most frequently (73%) during a visit not related to diabetes' symptoms or complications. 42% of patients had a BMI > or =30 kg/m(2), 46% were hypertensive (BP > 140-80 mmHg), 53% had a LDL-Cholesterol over 1.3 g/l. Overall, 33% of patients had at least one diabetic complication. 60% of patients had had at least one HbA1c dosage in the last 6 months. Among them, 31% had a HbA1c level over 8% and 35% between 6. 5% and 8%. 85% of patients were treated with oral anti-diabetic drugs, 9.5% with diet and exercise only and 5% with insulin. Sulfonylureas were the most commonly prescribed anti-diabetic agent, either alone or in combination. This survey confirms that the management of patients with type 2 diabetes is still often inappropriate in France despite recent progress. Improved disease management and monitoring is required in France as in other developed countries.