Table 3: Association between primary care physician supply and optimal monitoring* (n = 610 441) and hospital visits for diabetes complications† (n = 712 681), by urban and nonurban networks
Outcome/modelUrbanNonurban
RR (95% CI)p valueRR (95% CI)p value
Optimal monitoring*
Unadjusted
High1.06 (1.04-1.07)< 0.0011.16 (1.13-1.20)< 0.001
Medium1.03 (1.02-1.04)< 0.0011.18 (1.14-1.23)< 0.001
Low (reference)1.001.00
Adjusted for patient characteristics‡
High1.06 (1.04-1.07)< 0.0011.17 (1.14-1.21)< 0.001
Medium1.04 (1.03-1.05)< 0.0011.19 (1.14-1.23)< 0.001
Low (reference)1.001.00
 1 emergency department visits
Unadjusted
High1.11 (0.89-1.38)0.40.96 (0.83-1.11)0.6
Medium1.10 (0.87-1.40)0.40.94 (0.79-1.12)0.5
Low (reference)1.001.00
Adjusted for patient characteristics‡
High1.05 (0.94-1.17)0.40.96 (0.85-1.08)0.5
Medium0.99 (0.89-1.10)0.90.95 (0.80-1.11)0.5
Low (reference)1.001.00
One or more hospital admissions
Unadjusted
High1.04 (0.84-1.29)0.700.93 (0.79-1.10)0.4
Medium1.08 (0.85-1.36)0.50.97 (0.83-1.13)0.7
Low (reference)1.001.00
Adjusted for patient characteristics‡
High1.01 (0.89-1.14)0.90.91 (0.77-1.07)0.2
Medium0.97 (0.86-1.10)0.61.09 (0.94-1.27)0.2
Low (reference)1.001.00

Note: CI = confidence Interval, RR = relative risk.

*Defined as 1 retinal eye exam, 1 cholesterol test and 4 glycated hemoglobin tests during the 2-year study period.

†Visits for hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, skin or soft-tissue infection, or cardiovascular events.

‡Age, sex, income quintile, recent immigration, diabetes duration, mental health diagnosis, comorbidity and morbidity.