Table 1 Baseline characteristics of control and intervention practices and patients.
| Â | Control group (n 28) | Intervention group (n 30) |
|---|---|---|
Practice factors at baseline | ||
Number of partners: | Â | Â |
   Single-handed | 9 | 10 |
   2 to 4 partners | 15 | 16 |
   5 to 7 partners | 4 | 2 |
   >7 partners | 0 | 2 |
Number of practices with a Practice nurse | 28 | 30 |
Patient factors at baseline* | ||
Number | 1934 | 1674 |
Mean (sd) age (years) | 66.6 (11.3) | 65.7 (11.8) |
No (%) men | 1001 (52%) | 901 (54%) |
No (%) on diet only | 947 (49.1%) | 980 (59.0%) |
No (%) on oral hypoglycaemics (sulphonylureas, biguanides, thiazols) but not on insulin | 923 (47.9%) | 628 (37.8%) |
No (%) on insulin | 57 (3.0%) | 54 (3.2%) |