Prevention of type 2 diabetes by lifestyle intervention in primary health care setting in Poland: Diabetes in Europe Prevention using Lifestyle, physical Activity and Nutritional intervention (DE-PLAN) project

Abstract

AimTo find out whether diabetes prevention via a lifestyle intervention programme is feasible in a primary healthcare setting in Poland.MethodsThe intervention (Diabetes in Europe: Prevention using Lifestyle, physical Activity and Nutritional intervention; DE-PLAN project) was completed by 175 middle-aged, slightly obese participants in nine primary healthcare centres in Krakow, Poland. The inclusion criterion was diabetes risk (Finnish Diabetes Risk score (FRS) >14). The nurse-delivered intervention consisted of 10 group sessions on lifestyle changes, six motivational telephone sessions, two motivational letters and the opportunity to participate in once or twice weekly physical activity sessions.ResultsAt 12 months there were mean reductions in weight, 85.7 to 83.7 kg; body mass index, 31.8 to 31.1 kg/m2(p<0.05); waist circumference, 98.8 to 95.5 cm (p<0.05); total cholesterol 5.6 to 5.3 mmol/L (p<0.05), systolic and diastolic blood pressure 133 to 130 and 83 to 81 mmHg respectively (p<0.05); FRS 18–16 (p<0.05) and 25% of participants lost ≥5% of initial body weight. No changes were observed in fasting or 2-h post-oral glucose tolerance test plasma glucose, triglycerides, or high-density lipoproteins. Significant improvements were found in lifestyle risk factors like diet and physical activity.ConclusionsPrevention of type 2 diabetes through lifestyle intervention is feasible in primary healthcare settings in Poland.