Candice Knight

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined patient experiences after receiving elevated diabetes screening values using blood collected at a dental clinic. It explores patients' reactions to screening, whether or not they sought recommended medical follow-up, and facilitating factors and barriers to obtaining follow-up care. Methods: At the comprehensive care clinics at a large, urban College of Dentistry in the United States, haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) values were obtained from 379 study participants who had not been previously diagnosed with diabetes. In all, 169 (44.6%) had elevated HbA1C values. We analysed quantitative and qualitative data concerning these patients' follow-up with primary care providers (PCPs). Results: We were able to contact 112 (66.3%) of the 169 study participants who had an elevated HbA1C reading. Of that group, 61 (54.5%) received recommended follow-up care from a PCP within 3 months, and an additional 28 (25.0%) said they intended to seek such care. Qualitative themes included the following: the screening letter – opportunity or burden, appreciation for the 3-month follow-up call and barriers to medical follow-up that included the following: lack of knowledge about diabetes, not understanding the importance of follow-up, busyness, financial concerns, fear and denial. Conclusions: Quantitative and qualitative data demonstrate that dentists, dental hygienists and nurses are well poised to discover and translate new models of patient-centred, comprehensive care to patients with oral and systemic illness.

Abstract

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is highly comorbid with diabetes, a relationship underappreciated by clinicians. Purpose: Examine the proportion of nonpregnant individuals ≥20 years with MDD and elevated glucose and the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with unrecognized elevated glucose. Methods: 14,373 subjects who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2012) completed the PHQ-9 depression screen and had hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) measured. PHQ-9 scores ≥10 and HbA1c scores ≥5.7% were defned as MDD and elevated HbA1c, respectively. Data were analyzed using complex survey sampling sofware. Results: 38.4% of the sample with MDD had elevated HbA1c readings. Compared with nondepressed subjects, they were significantly more likely to have elevated glucose readings (P = 0.003) and to be aware of their elevated glucose levels if they had a higher body mass index, family history of diabetes, more doctor visits in the past year, a usual care source, health insurance, or were taking hypertension or hypercholesterolemia medications. Conclusions: Many adults with MDD have elevated HbA1c levels, have never been advised of elevated HbA1c, have not received diabetes screening, and have minimal contact with a healthcare provider. Additional opportunities for diabetes risk screening in people with MDD are needed.