Improved glycaemic control - an unintended benefit of a nurse-led cardiovascular risk reduction clinic

Aims One hundred and ten patients with Type 2 diabetes were referred into a nurse-led cardiovascular risk reduction clinic. The primary aim of the clinic was to optimize blood pressure (BP) control and address cardiovascular risk factors. Methods Those attending outpatient clinics were referred into a nurse-led cardiovascular risk reduction clinic if BP was above 140/85 mmHg. There was no intervention strategy designed in the nurse clinic protocol to improve glycaemic control. Results Following attendance at the clinic, there was a significant improvement in HbA(1c) noted when patients were reviewed 9 months later. HbA(1c) improved from 8.7 +/- 1.6 to 8.1% +/- 1.6% (P < 0.001) in the whole cohort. Further analysis showed that, after excluding those who had received intervention to improve glycaemic control from another source, during the same period there remained a significant improvement in the non-intervention group of patients. Conclusion Frequent regular contact and health education in a nurse-led clinic to reduce cardiovascular risk may improve HbA(1c) in the absence of any specific intervention to improve glycaemic control.