Risk Assessment of Type 2 Diabetes in Pharmacies

Background: Due to lack of clear symptoms, type 2 diabetes can remain undetected for many years. Our aim was to explore the capacity of Norwegian community pharmacies to identify people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and the impact of the risk assessment service on self-rated health.

Methods: Nineteen community pharmacies were randomly allocated to a diabetes risk test only- group or Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) -group were the participants with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes also received a HbA1c-measurement. Two pharmacists at each pharmacy were trained to perform risk assessments and counselling. The pharmacists at the 11 HbA1c pharmacies were also trained in how to perform the HbA1c- measurement. During six months, pharmacy customers equal or above 45 years old, wishing to participate contacted the pharmacy staff. Participants completed a validated diabetes risk test and a background questionnaire including a validated instrument for self-rated health. In the risk test only-group, participants with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes were referred to their general practitioner for follow-up, while in the HbA1c-group, participants with HbA1c ≥ 48 mmol/ mol (6.5%) were referred to their general practitioner.

Inclusion criteria

• age equal to or above 45 years old (increased from 18 years in the feasibility study), and being able to read and write Norwegian/English.

Exclusion criteria

• known diabetes, pregnancy and blood diseases that may affect measurement of Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).