Diabetes mellitus affects all parts of the body, and all aspects of life for the patient. To manage patients effectively, we need a record of who has diabetes, where they are treated, by whom, and with what results. In 1985 we devised a standardised data collection form in our clinic and in 1987 we established a comprehensive register of patients treated in our clinics. Our Diabetes Care Centre serves a population of 287,460 based in an industrial area with high levels of social and economic deprivation. The database includes demographic details, risk factors including smoking and alcohol intake, duration of diabetes, type of treatment, biochemical results including blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, details of blood lipids and renal function. We also record details of diabetic eye disease, foot disease, nerve pathway disease, cardiovascular disease, and skin complications. We record the type of treatment including diet, tablets, and insulin and we audit the incidence of diabetic complications including ketoacidosis, amputation, and blindness due to diabetes. From 1994 onwards we complied a district register of patients including those not seen by us. Our computerised database enables us to monitor our clinics, audit our results, pursue research, set targets, and facilitates contracting for diabetes care with our purchasers.
Diabetes Mellitus Humans