Quality of diabetes care in patients with schizophrenia: a case-control study in Qatar

Background Patients with schizophrenia are at least twice as likely to develop diabetes mellitus compared to the general population. This is of significance in Qatar given the high prevalence of obesity and diabetes. Furthermore, the lifespan of people with schizophrenia is shortened by approximately 15 years, partly due to long-term microvascular and macrovascular complications. High quality diabetes care can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality. We assessed the level of diabetes care delivered to patients in Qatar with schizophrenia and diabetes compared to those with diabetes alone. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with diabetes mellitus with (n = 73) and without (n = 73) schizophrenia. Demographic information and electronic medical records were reviewed to determine adherence to American Diabetes Association standards of diabetes care in the last 6 and 12 months. Optimal diabetes care was defined as having completed glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile and retinal examination within 12 months. Results Optimal diabetes care was significantly lower in patients with schizophrenia and diabetes compared to diabetes alone [26.0% (n = 19/73) vs 52.1% (n = 38/73), p = 0.002]. Patients with diabetes and schizophrenia were also significantly less likely to have had body mass index recorded within 6 months (p = 0.008) and HbA1c (p = 0.006), lipid profile (p = 0.015), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (p = 0.001) and order for retinal examination (p = 0.004) over 12 months. After adjusting for multiple comparisons, only assessment of eGFR (p = 0.01) and order for retinal examination (p = 0.04) remained significant. Conclusion Patients in Qatar with schizophrenia and diabetes, receive sub-optimal diabetes care compared to those with diabetes alone.