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Diabetes education lowers HbA1c and weight in a veteran population with Type 2 Diabetes
Author(s) -
Tacker Deanna,
Harris Margaret M,
Carroll Polly,
Hays Nicholas,
Johnson Pippa,
Hakkak Reza
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a304-d
Subject(s) - diabetes mellitus , medicine , type 2 diabetes , population , gerontology , patient education , health education , family medicine , physical therapy , nursing , endocrinology , public health , environmental health
The effectiveness of diabetes education in the Central Arkansas Veteran's Healthcare System has not been evaluated to date. The purpose of this study was to determine whether diabetes education was effective at lowering glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration in 126 veterans with Type 2 Diabetes (mean age 66.1±14.9). A chart review of the year 2004 was conducted examining 76 veterans who completed an intensive 3‐day Diabetes Education and Management Outpatient Program and 49 veterans who did not complete diabetes education training (controls). Goal statements were classified into categories of diet, exercise, self‐management and other and evaluated as “met” or “not met”. Those who completed education were categorized by number of goals met (0,1, 2+). Differences among the means of change in body weight and HbA1c were determined with the general linear model, adjusting for the effects of age and height. Subjects who met 2+ goals lost weight (−4.7 lbs) while all other groups gained between 0.5 and 4.2 lbs (p<0.05). A dose response was seen with improvements in HbA1c levels observed with increasing number of goals achieved (no education= +0.1, education+no goals met= +0.2, education+1 goal met= −0.8% and education+2 or more goals met= −1.8; p<0.05). These findings demonstrate that behavior change through goal setting and accomplishment produces a favorable and cost‐effective means at controlling diabetes.