biostudies-literatureFlorez HJBLRD VANCATS NIH HHSNIDDK NIH HHSNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesNational Institutes of HealthAstraZenecaNIGMS NIH HHSCSRD VA109188https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8917078biostudies-literatureUnknown184<h4>Aims</h4>We evaluated differences in participants with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) enrolled in the GRADE study at VA vs non-VA sites, focusing on cardiovascular risk factors and rates of diabetes care target achievements.<h4>Methods</h4>We compared baseline characteristics between participants at VA (n = 1216) and non-VA (n = 3831) sites, stratifying analyses by cardiovascular disease (CVD) history.<h4>Results</h4>VA and non-VA participants had similar diabetes duration (4.0 years), HbA1c (7.5%), and BMI (34 kg/m²); however, VA participants had more individuals ≥ 65 years (37.3% vs 19.8%, p < 0.001), men (90.0% vs 55.2%, p < 0.001), hypertension (75.8% vs 63.6%, p < 0.001), hyperlipidemia (76.6% vs 64.6%, p < 0.001), current smokers (19.0% vs 12.1%, p < 0.001), nephropathy (20.4% vs 17.0%, p < 0.05), albuminuria (18.4% vs 15.1%, p < 0.05), and CVD (10.4% vs 5.2%, p < 0.001). In those without CVD, more VA participants were treated with lipid (70.8% vs 59.5%, p < 0.001) and blood pressure (74.9% vs 65.4%, p < 0.001) lowering medications, and had LDL-C < 70 mg/dl (32.9% vs 24.2%, p < 0.05). Among those with CVD, more VA participants had BP < 140/90 (80.2% vs 70.1%, p < 0.05) after adjusting for demographics.<h4>Conclusion</h4>GRADE participants at VA sites had more T2DM complications, greater CVD risk and were more likely to be treated with medications to reduce it, leading to more LDL-C at goal than non-VA participants, highlighting differences in diabetes populations and care.Diabetes research and clinical practiceDifferences in complications, cardiovascular risk factor, and diabetes management among participants enrolled at veterans affairs (VA) and non-VA medical centers in the glycemia reduction approaches in diabetes: A comparative effectiveness study (GRADE).PMC8917078UL1 TR002378UL1 TR002537I01 CX001737UL1 TR001425UL1 TR002535UL1 TR000439UL1 TR001449UL1 TR001108I01 BX005831UL1 TR001409P30 DK020572UL1 TR002243P30 DK092926UL1 TR002489UL1 TR002345P30 DK020541-44UL1 TR002548P30 DK017047U54 GM104940UL1 TR000445UL1 TR002529U34 DK088043P30 DK072476U01 DK098246P30 DK079626P30 DK020541Ghosh APark JWexler DJGRADE Research GroupPop-Busui RAroda VRUnderkofler CHox SHKrause-Steinrauf HKillean TFlorez HJRhee MKMcKee MDfalseDifferences in complications, cardiovascular risk factor, and diabetes management among participants enrolled at veterans affairs (VA) and non-VA medical centers in the glycemia reduction approaches in diabetes: A comparative effectiveness study (GRADE).<h4>Aims</h4>We evaluated differences in participants with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) enrolled in the GRADE study at VA vs non-VA sites, focusing on cardiovascular risk factors and rates of diabetes care target achievements.<h4>Methods</h4>We compared baseline characteristics between participants at VA (n = 1216) and non-VA (n = 3831) sites, stratifying analyses by cardiovascular disease (CVD) history.<h4>Results</h4>VA and non-VA participants had similar diabetes duration (4.0 years), HbA1c (7.5%), and BMI (34 kg/m²); however, VA participants had more individuals ≥ 65 years (37.3% vs 19.8%, p < 0.001), men (90.0% vs 55.2%, p < 0.001), hypertension (75.8% vs 63.6%, p < 0.001), hyperlipidemia (76.6% vs 64.6%, p < 0.001), current smokers (19.0% vs 12.1%, p < 0.001), nephropathy (20.4% vs 17.0%, p < 0.05), albuminuria (18.4% vs 15.1%, p < 0.05), and CVD (10.4% vs 5.2%, p < 0.001). In those without CVD, more VA participants were treated with lipid (70.8% vs 59.5%, p < 0.001) and blood pressure (74.9% vs 65.4%, p < 0.001) lowering medications, and had LDL-C < 70 mg/dl (32.9% vs 24.2%, p < 0.05). Among those with CVD, more VA participants had BP < 140/90 (80.2% vs 70.1%, p < 0.05) after adjusting for demographics.<h4>Conclusion</h4>GRADE participants at VA sites had more T2DM complications, greater CVD risk and were more likely to be treated with medications to reduce it, leading to more LDL-C at goal than non-VA participants, highlighting differences in diabetes populations and care.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Feb2026-05-09T22:38:10.25Z2025-02-19T03:25:48.093ZS-EPMC89170783497166310.1016/j.diabres.2021.109188