Diabetes self-management education (DSME) and medical nutrition therapy (MNT) improve glycemic control and reduce risk of chronic comorbid disease.
Document outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) completing DSME and MNT through American Diabetes Association-recognized programs.
Descriptive, retrospective chart
review.
Four random samples of 100 records of patients with T2D completing DSME and MNT at each of four regional centers in
Alabama, June 2013 to 2014, were chosen for
review; after exclusions, 392 records were retained.
Weight, body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), triglycerides (TG), and TG-to-HDL ratio.
Mixed-model analysis of variance was used to determine differences between continuous variables. McNemar test was used to assess frequency of patients reaching glycemic targets. Paired t tests were used to determine significance of lipid parameters.
Significant reductions were observed at end of program and 1 year in weight (2.67±5.54 kg, P<0.001; 2.25±5.45 kg, P=0.001), BMI (0.93±1.91, P<0.001; 0.76±1.93, P=0.001), and HbA1c (1.82%±2.23%, P<0.001; 1.22%±2.15%, P<0.001). Patients managed by diet alone had a mean baseline HbA1c of 6.95% and exhibited a 0.8% reduction in HbA1c (P<0.001) at end of program. Those managed with diet plus drug therapy had a baseline HbA1c of 9% and exhibited a 2.09% reduction in HbA1c (P<0.001). Following DSME and MNT, 62% of patients reached glycemic targets (HcA1c≤7%), as compared with 32% at baseline (P<0.001). Significant reductions in TG were observed from baseline (162±74 mg/dL [4.19±1.91 mmol/L]) to follow-up (109±36 mg/dL [2.82±0.92 mmol/L]) (P<0.001). HDL increased from baseline (45±13 mg/dL [1.16±0.34 mmol/L]) to follow-up (48±11 mg/dL [1.24±0.28 mmol/L]) (P=0.05). The TG-to-HDL ratio improved from a baseline of 4.07±2.41 to 2.48±1.26 at follow-up (P<0.001).
Reductions were observed in weight, BMI, HbA1c, TG, and TG-to-HDL ratio. Improved patient outcomes were achieved in the clinical setting and support universal coverage to increase patient access to DSME and MNT.