Attitudes to prescription of antiplatelet drugs by diabetes health workers

The aim of this survey was to explore the attitudes to antiplatelet drug use amongst a group of UK diabetes specialist medical and nursing personnel.

A postal questionnaire survey was circulated to all consultant diabetologists, specialist registrars in diabetes and diabetes specialist nurses working in the Mersey Deanery area.

Seventy‐eight questionnaires were sent out, 63 (81%) returned. The perceived use of antiplatelet therapy was significantly higher for type 2 diabetes compared with type 1 diabetes, especially in the absence of complications or cardiovascular risk factors (52% vs 21%, p = 0.0004). Responses were more variable for type 1 diabetes: more nurses than doctors advised antiplatelet drugs in the absence of risk factors (46% vs 5%, p = 0.0002) and in the presence of smoking (79% vs 51%, p = 0.034). Aspirin was first‐line choice of antiplatelet drug; clopidogrel was generally used for gastric intolerance and aspirin allergy.

We conclude that the combination of limited evidence base and imprecise guidelines is not favouring proper usage of antiplatelet drugs and that more evidence‐based didactic guidelines are required. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons.