Interpersonal Continuity of Care May Help Delay Progression to Type 2 Diabetes.

Abstract

The association between interpersonal continuity of care (CoC) and progression from the prediabetic state to Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) remains unknown. To evaluate the association between interpersonal CoC and the progression to T2D among persons with prediabetes. A retrospective cohort study using electronic health record (EHR) data from 6620 patients at Geisinger, a large rural health care system in Danville, PA. Cox regression methods were used to estimate the hazard ratio associated with progression to T2D within 3-years of being diagnosed with prediabetes. One additional visit with the primary care provider most frequently seen by the patient is associated with 14% decreased risk (HR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.85, 0.87; <i>P</i> < .001) of transitioning to type 2 diabetes within 3 years of being diagnosed with prediabetes. This study demonstrates an association between increased interpersonal CoC after a person is diagnosed with prediabetes and a reduced risk of progressing to T2D within 3 years.