The Cardiometabolic Clinic: Bridging Gaps in Care

Abstract

Background: While cardiometabolic disease is an increasingly common occurrence, there is evidence to suggest that many of these patients are not receiving optimal, evidence-based care. We set out to determine the effects of an integrated cardiometabolic clinic on the treatment of patients with cardiometabolic disease.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study compared the University of Vermont Cardiometabolic Clinic with four primary care clinics in the same network. Major outcomes included adherence to goal-directed medication regimens, and control of hemoglobin A1c, body mass index (BMI) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

Results: Our study found that over 6 to 18 months, the cardiometabolic clinic group had statistically significant improvement in medication regimens, with GLP1s started in 63% vs. 24.6% (P < 0.001), and SGLT2 inhibitors started in 47.7% vs. 10.8% (P < 0.001). The cardiometabolic clinic showed BMI reduction of -2.8 kg/m² vs. -0.5 kg/m² (P < 0.001), and an A1c reduction of -0.9% vs. -0.4% (P = 0.016).

Conclusions: This study added to the literature showing cardiometabolic clinics could play an important role in treatment of this high-risk group.

J Endocrinol Metab. 2024;14(5):221-225
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jem1018