[The National Diabetes Registry 1996-2003. Quality assessment shows improved diabetic care]

The Swedish National Diabetes Register presents results during the period 1996-2003. Quality of care data from more than 75,000 diabetic patients (2003) treated at medical departments and primary health care centres are evaluated concerning national goals of HbA1c < 6.5% and BP < 140/85 mm Hg, the prevalence of lipid treatment, smoking etc. The national goals of HbA1c and BP were reached with increasing degree in cross-sectional analysis during the period, and were achieved by 33% and 71% at medical departments, and by 61% and 48% in primary health care in 2003. A similar tendency was also seen in longitudinal analysis of subgroups 1996-2003. The use of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs was also considerably increased. This should imply a reduction of the risk for diabetic complications. As the national goals are still difficult to reach, individual goals should be set for the treatment.