Changes in hyperglycaemia-related testing for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus management: a prospective, cross-sectional survey of 16 years of general practice data from Australia

The rising prevalence of prediabetes increases the population risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Early identification by General Practitioners (GPs) provides opportunities for lifestyle modifications that can lower these risks. This study examined 16 years of hyperglycaemia-related testing for patients in Australia aged 13 years or older with, or at risk of a diagnosis of T2DM. The Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) study is a national cross-sectional survey, with a single-stage, cluster sampling design. Approximately 1,000 GPs were randomly selected annually (2000/01–20,015/16) from across Australia, who each recorded details of 100 consecutive clinical encounters with consenting patients. Point estimates were adjusted for intracluster correlation and GP characteristics. Fifteen thousand six hundred seventy nine GPs recorded details of 1,387,190 clinical encounters with patients aged 13 + years. Prediabetes and T2DM were managed at 0.25