CHRISTUS Medical Group Quality Measures
Diabetes Management – LDL
Why is this important?
According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 20.8 million adults and children (7 percent of the U.S. population) who have diabetes. Unfortunately, it is estimated that 6.2 million, or nearly one-third are unaware they even have the disease.
Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States. If the present trends continue, one in three Americans born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
Diabetes is associated with an increased risk for a number of serious complications. It is the leading cause of kidney failure and new cases of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age, and adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about two to four times higher than adults without diabetes. The risk for stroke is also two to four times higher among people with diabetes.
Good diabetes management can help reduce these risks.
Who needs to have their LDL tested regularly?
This measure applies to CMG’s Family Practice and Internal Medicine providers (physicians, nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants). Twice a year, CMG audits patient charts to ensure that patients ages 18 to 75 whose diabetes has been diagnosed for at least six months have had a blood test to determine their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level. The goal is to maintain an LDL below 100 mg/dl. The current score listed is based on the June 2008 audit.
Managing LDL level is important, because too much of it can lead to heart disease. (Some people call LDL “bad” cholesterol.) Because patients with diabetes are at increased risk of heart disease, their LDL levels should be monitored closely. The average LDL level should be below 100 mg/dl, and an LDL test must be performed annually on patients whose previous LDL level was above 100 mg/dl. However, if a patient’s previous LDL test showed levels below 100 mg/dl, they must be tested every two years.
For more information about LDL, visit the American Diabetes Association’s Website here
