Are Type 2 Diabetes Patients Overtested?

The frequent testing that goes along with type 2 diabetes may not only be unnecessary, but also negative, according to a new study.

Overtesting HbA1C levels can mean unnecessary costs and time wasted for both patients and providers, the research found. Moreover, frequent testing can lead to overtreatment with diabetes drugs.

“Our findings are concerning, especially as we focus more on improving the value of care we deliver to our patients - not only ensuring maximal benefit, but also being mindful of waste, patient burden and health care costs,” said Rozalina McCoy, M.D., lead investigator of the Mayo Clinic study.

Protocols aren't well-defined

According to the authors, protocols for monitoring and treating patients with type 2 diabetes are not well defined by medical societies or regulating organizations.

Adult patients not taking insulin who have stable glycemic control, for example, may only need to be tested once or twice a year. Yet excessive testing is more the norm, the study reports.

Too much testing may occur because providers are uncertain of test results, but it may also happen because patients are seeing more than one provider for different health concerns - which causes fragmentation of the individual's overall care.

"As providers, we must be ever vigilant to provide the right testing and treatment to our patients at the right times - both for their well-being and to ensure the best value in the health care we provide," McCoy said.

Source: Mayo Clinic