Investigation of Discontinued Cases in the Community Network Path for Diabetes Care in Tonami General Hospital

Abstract

We investigated discontinued cases in the community network path for diabetes care, which included 348 patients with type 2 diabetes, in Tonami General Hospital for 3.7 ± 0.4 years. The continuation rates were 70.7 %, 54.3 %, 44.8 %, and 36.7 % after 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively, and did not differ markedly across age groups. The reasons for discontinuation were blood glucose deterioration and interruption of visits to our hospital for patients below 65 years of age, blood glucose deterioration and cancer for those between 65 and 74 years of age, and no hope of the path, cancer, and fractures for those 75 years of age and older. Cases with blood glucose deterioration, no hope of the path, and cancer had higher HbA1c levels, more frequently had the concomitant use of sulfonyl urea drug, and had a longer disease duration (except for cases of cancer) than continued cases did. Cases with interruption of visits to our hospital had a shorter disease duration than continued cases. Thus, it is necessary to consider the continuation and termination of the path in changes of age or various conditions in the community network path.