Trends in the management of risk of diabetes complications in different ethnic groups in New Zealand primary care

AimsTo assess changes over two years in the health status and management of a cohort of people with Type 2 diabetes from different ethnic groups within a primary care diabetes annual review programme in New Zealand.MethodsThe study evaluated changes in clinical measures and proportions achieving guideline targets for 7782 people who had data recorded at baseline in 2002–2003 and at follow-up two years later within the diabetes programme.ResultsA large proportion of Maori (47%) and Pacific (69%) patients had poor glycaemic control at baseline and only small improvements were made over the two years. Significant improvements were made in all the ethnic groups in blood pressure and lipid management at two-year follow-up. By the two-year follow-up, over 75% of Maori and Pacific patients received appropriate treatment with anti-hypertensive and lipid lowering medication and many of the ethnic disparities in risk factors for complications were reduced.ConclusionsParticipation in the annual review programme may have contributed to improvements in clinical management and reduced disparities in a cohort with Type 2 diabetes. However, the removal of restrictions on statin use in 2002, and introduction of diabetes management guidelines in 2003 may also have improved management standards.