Community pharmacy type 2 diabetes risk assessment: demographics and risk results

OBJECTIVES: To determine the demographics and risk results of patients accessing a community pharmacy diabetes risk assessment service. METHOD: Participating patients underwent an assessment using a validated questionnaire to determine their 10-year risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Patients were given appropriate lifestyle advice or referred to their general practitioner if necessary. KEY FINDINGS: In total, 21 302 risk assessments were performed. Nearly one-third (29%) of 3427 risk assessments analysed yielded a result of moderate or high chance of developing the condition. CONCLUSIONS: Community pharmacies can identify a significant number of patients at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next 10 years. Further follow-up work needs to be done to determine the cost-effectiveness of such a service and the consequences of receiving a risk assessment.