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Manitoba Health

Chronic Disease Branch - Diabetes

Risk Factor and Complication Assessment  


What is Risk Factor and Complication Assessment?

  • Risk Factor Assessment is a periodic assessment of risk factors for people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases.
  • Complication Assessment is an annual complication screening for people with diabetes provided within the context of a comprehensive diabetes health plan.
  • The Regional Diabetes Program Framework is the result of consultation and collaboration with stakeholders to identify expectations, activities, deliverables and potential outcomes for a comprehensive province-wide diabetes program.
  • Risk Factor Assessment and Complication Assessment is an important component of the RDP Framework and promotes the implementation of the Manitoba Diabetes Care Recommendations as well as the Canadian Diabetes Association 2003 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada.

Both children and adults may be screened for type 2 diabetes or for the complications of diabetes.  There are differences between recommendations for children and adults based on age and the evolving understanding of the natural history, complications and treatment strategies for type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents.

Why is Risk Factor and Complication Assessment so Important?

Risk Factor Assessment

  • In Manitoba, type 2 diabetes is epidemic in First Nations communities and the elderly of all populations.
  • Projections indicate two trends: the prevalence of type 2 diabetes will continue to increase due to the aging of the population and the health burden of complications will continue to rise.
  • Exciting new evidence also demonstrates that type 2 diabetes may be prevented by lifestyle and/or pharmacological interventions.
  • The Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend more aggressive screening strategies and more sensitive testing and diagnostic procedures to allow earlier detection and management of type 2 diabetes.

Complication Assessment

  • The complications of diabetes are major cost drivers to the health system and have a profound negative effect on the quality of life of individuals living with diabetes and of their families.
  • The long-term complications of diabetes include both microvascular and macrvascular changes that affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels.
  • Evidence shows that the long-term complications of diabetes can either be prevented or their progress delayed by regular complication assessment and timely intervention.
  • Exactly how complications develop is not fully understood, but what is known is that metabolic control, including glycemic, blood pressure and lipid control, is directly linked to the development of complications.
  • Other factors that determine the risk for macrovascular disease such as coronary artery, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular disease include family history of cardiovascular disease, exercise practices, dietary habits and smoking.

What is the format of the RFCA Program?

Training, current screening tools, resources and key messages for Risk Factor and Complication Assessment are available in Manitoba through a train-the-trainer program.  This program has been designed to educate nurse, dietitian, and physician teams responsible for providing services to children, adolescents, and adults at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic disease, children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes, and adults living with type 1 and 2 diabetes.

Manitoba Health and an Advisory Committee chose the train-the-trainer format because it was deemed to be the most efficient way to ensure access to the program and to promote consistent, current and accurate messages about diabetes prevention, education, care and support.

Where can you get Train-the-Trainer Program Training?

For more information about becoming a Regional Trainer, please contact the Chronic Disease Branch, Manitoba Health.

For information about regional training opportunities for health professionals, contact the Diabetes Program Coordinator in your Regional Health Authority.

Health Professional Resources

This section contains Manitoba Health template forms that can be downloaded for use. It also provides links to forms that may be helpful in completing an assessment. The templates are meant to provide health authorities or health professionals with a form that can be adapted to the needs of their region or clientele.

Templates

Links