A one-size-fits-all approach is not sufficient to treat diabetes. Although multiple medications are often used to treat risk factors and prevent cardiovascular and renal complications in diabetes patients, individualized treatment is necessary. The GIANTT database provides insight into the treatment patterns and long-term outcomes. Our aim is to support research focusing on the assessment and improvement of the quality and outcomes of treatment in a primary care population.

The GIANTT database is unique in terms of providing longitudinal data for a dynamic, cumulative cohort of more than 50,000 patients who are being treated for type 2 diabetes in primary care settings. Since 2004, routinely available data have been collected from the electronic medical records held by a large number of general practices in the Groningen region. These include information about age, sex, prescribed medication, outcomes of diagnostic measurements, and comorbidity as documented in primary care settings.