Diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Metodología en atención primaria

Abstract

The prevalence of diabetes in the next few decades has been attained sooner than expected. The increase foreseen in the next few years will turn this disease into the cardiovascular epidemic of the xxi century. The major cardiovascular morbidity and mortality generated will lead to socioeconomic costs that should be thoroughly evaluated to minimize their effects. Primary care plays an essential role in controlling cardiovascular diseases and their complications. To aid the clinical evaluation and follow-up of patients with type 2 diabetes, we describe some clinical steps that form part of a methodology consisting of the following: 1. Certain questions are asked on the process to be evaluated. 2. Certain steps (one per question) are followed that allow responses to be obtained. The step indicates what has to be done to obtain the response. If we fail to understand the response, we must search for the information required to continue the clinical evaluation. 3. The responses are obtained by correlatively following the steps described in the methodology and serve to define the patient's clinical profile and prescribe treatment. 4. Finally, a clinical report for the patient is written with the data obtained. The patient is then given an explanation of the meaning of the report and its implications for his or her health status.