Influence of education training in patients with type 2 diabetes in the improvement of lifestyle and biochemical characteristics: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Objective The objective of this randomized controlled trial study was to evaluate the education training in relation to lifestyle improvement in patients with type 2 diabetes through its influence in the levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure, triglyceride, cholesterol levels, and body mass index (BMI). Methods The study included patients with type 2 diabetes randomly selected from 20 residential areas in Tirana, Albania where family physicians provide services. The sample size in total was 200 patients in both groups (control and intervention). The education training (four sessions) was conducted by trained nursing staff for 6 months. Patients were screened for the biochemical profile before and after the intervention. To compare the groups with respect to the interest outcomes, the t-test was used. The value of P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results There were 104 male patients and 96 female patients. The mean age was 54.9 ± 8.7. No significant differences were found between the study groups in relation to clinical and biochemical data before the education sessions. After the intervention, in the intervention group, the mean level of HbA1c was significantly lower than the value in the control group (6.2% vs 6.8%, P = 0.001) as well as for the mean values of BMI. The mean reduction (more than 15%) in HbA1c after the intervention was 43% in the intervention group and 2% in the control group (OR = 36.9, P < 0.05). Differences in BMI, HbA1c, triglycerides, and cholesterol were more significantly visible in the intervention group. However, the difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure values was almost the same (P > 0.05). Conclusions The results of this study further support that the approach for education of patients with type 2 diabetes on changing lifestyle benefit the patient in controlling diabetes. It is believed that the establishment of diabetes education classes in health centers is an important investment in improving the management of type 2 diabetes.