Abstract

BACKGROUND
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness with many metabolic complications. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has markedly increased. Until now, however, little data have been presented for the long-term evaluation of a structured diabetes education program (SDEP) for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the SDEP on glycemic control, lipid profiles, and self-care behavior over a four-year follow-up period. METHODS: A total of 248 diabetic patients completed the SDEP from December 1999 to September 2000. Ninety-eight patients were followed-up for more than four years and 75 of them were selected for the study, after those subjects having a baseline glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c) levels below 7.9% were excluded. The laboratory data included the glycemic control status(fasting blood sugar and HbA1c), serum creatinine, and lipid profiles. Compliance with their diet, self monitoring of blood glucose, and their exercise frequency were monitored with a questionnaire that was completed by the patients when they visited the hospital. The data were analyzed by using repeated ANOVA measures and chi2 testing for detecting trends. RESULTS: There were no significant decreases in the fasting blood glucose, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides or low density lipoprotein cholesterol for the SDEP group compared with the control group. The self-care behavior of the SDEP group was much better than that of the control group and it was well maintained. Although the self-care behavior tended to deteriorate with time in the SDEP group, the exercise frequency did not change. The HbA1c level was much improved in the SDEP group(HbA1c: SDEP, 7.9+/-1.2% vs. 8.9+/-1.6% for the control; P =0.009). High density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol was also relatively improved in the SDEP group(HDL cholesterol: SDEP, 1.1+/-0.2 mmol/L vs. 1.0+/-0.3mmol/L for the control; P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The glycemic control status of diabetic patients who undertook the SDEP was satisfactory for one year after the program, although all the habitual compliance measures decreased gradually with time over the total four years. These results demonstrate that the SDEP for patients with diabetes is useful in improving their long-term glycemic control and self-care behavior. Regular and sustained reinforcement with encouragement will be required for the diabetic patients to maintain their self-care

• Keywords: Diabetes mellitus;Structured Diabetes Education Program(SDEP);Glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c);Exercise;Self monitoring of blood glucose(SMBG);