Patients referred with type 2 diabetes remain in specialist care for a long period

Patients with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes are usually managed in general practice. The aim of this study was to describe the duration of contact for patients referred from primary care to a diabetes outpatient clinic.

The present study is a retrospective study with follow-up of at least 12 months or until discharged. Risk stratification was performed at referral and when patients were returned to primary care. A total of 154 patients with type 2 diabetes were referred to the clinic in the 2004-2009 period. The main outcome measure was the duration of contact with the diabetes clinic.

In all, 105 patients were returned to primary care after a median of ten months (range 1-64 months) and six visits (1-25 visits). Half of the patients were returned to primary care after 18 months, and 20% were still in contact with the diabetes clinic after six years. The majority were classified as high-risk patients with no difference in risk level between patients followed ≤ 12 or > 12 months.

The complication level was high even among discharged patients. The long duration of the contact for the patients who were returned to primary health care should stimulate initiatives leading to a faster course in the secondary care setting.

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