Endocrinology Research and Practice
Original Article

Influence of Patient Education on Glycemic Control in Diabetic Patients

1.

Ankara University, School of Medicine, Endecrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Ankara, Turkey

2.

Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Disease, Ankara, Turkey

3.

Ankara University, School of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Ankara, Turkey

4.

Ankara Medical School , Ankara, Turkey

Endocrinol Res Pract 1998; 2: -
Read: 1507 Published: 18 March 2022
ABSTRACT
We evaluated the efficacy of an eight-day structured patient education program in Turkish non-insulin dependent diabetic subjects. Two hundred and fifty type 2 diabetes mellitus patients participated the education program in our outpatient diabetes teaching unit. Patients were interacted by a diabetic education team both one-on-one and in classes. Fifty of these patients completed the program. This data is covering this group. Mean age was 53 ± 10 years and duration of diabetes was 8.2± 4.2 years. Ali of them were on diet and on drug treatment either with insulin, insulin plus oral agents or only oral agents. The fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial two hour glucose(PPPG),and HbAlc levels were evaluated just before and at least six months after the completion of the education program. FPG levels fell from 190± 75 mg/dl to 149± 51 mg/dl (p< 0.01) and PPPG levels decreased from 235 ± 88 mg/dl to 184± 71 mg/dl (p<0.01).HbAlc levels also declined (6.4± 1 vs. 8.7± 2%, p<0.001). Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels also improved with the education (234±16 mg/dl vs. 192±20 mg/dl ; 156 ± 14 mg/dl vs. 120±19 mg/dl ; 190±34 mg/dl vs. 170± 31 mg/dl, respectively, p<0.05). A striking data was that the most of the diabetics who dropped from the program were living in other areas of the country and visited our outpatient cMnics for a short period and were under-educated. in conclusion, these results indicate that under-education of the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major health problem also in Turkey. This teaching experience with an educated diabetes team seems highly satisfactory and may be a helpful model in improving the glycemic control and life quality of diabetics. in order to increase the number of participants to such courses, education programs, including the educators and patients, should be organized throughout the whole country.
 
EISSN 2822-6135