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It takes more than physicians to treat a patient with multiple chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus and heart disease. A new trial suggests a nurse who acts like a coordinator for the health care intended for a patient can help improve the outcomes dramatically.

Patients with diabetes mellitus and or heart disease are at higher risk of depression.  When depression strikes, the medical treatments would not be as effective. The trial led by Dr. Wayne J. Katon and colleagues at University of Washington found patients who received care from nurses who worked with patients and physicians to manage the care for depression and diabetes and heart disease had better outcomes.

The trial reported in the Dec 30, 2010 issue of New England Journal of Medicine compared two groups of patients, one received the standard care without any so called Teamcare, while the other received a Teamcare intervention.

In the teamcare intervention, a nurse helped monitor disease control like cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and depression and worked closely with each patient's primary physicians to help patients use medications effectively.

At one year of the trial, those receiving the TEAMcare were found less depressed and had their blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure better controlled, compared with other patients with depression, diabetes mellitus and heart disease.

The patients who received the Teamcare intervention were reportedly more likely to be satisfied with the quality of life and treatments for depression and either diabetes mellitus, heart disease or both. These patients more likely had timely adjustments for blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, cholesterol and medications.

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