Open AccessAre home visits an effective method for diabetes management? A quantitative systematic review and meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Han Lin,
Ma Yuxia,
Wei Suhong,
Tian Jinhui,
Yang Xiaochun,
Shen Xiping,
Zhang Jun,
Shi Yuexian
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of diabetes investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.089
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 2040-1124
pISSN - 2040-1116
DOI - 10.1111/jdi.12630
Subject(s) - medicine , confidence interval , glycated hemoglobin , meta analysis , glycemic , cochrane library , diabetes mellitus , randomized controlled trial , cinahl , blood pressure , body mass index , diabetes management , psychological intervention , physical therapy , type 2 diabetes , endocrinology , nursing
Abstract Aims/Introduction Previous reviews have revealed uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of home visit interventions for managing diabetes. Therefore, we carried out a quantitative systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the effects of home visit interventions among patients with diabetes. Materials and Methods We searched various electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE , Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL , Wanfang and Chinese scientific full‐text databases) from their inception until March 2016. We included randomized controlled trials that included patients with diabetes, and evaluated the effects of home visit programs on glycated hemoglobin concentrations. Two reviewers independently used the Cochrane Collaboration methods to assess the included studies’ risk of bias and quality. Results We included seven randomized controlled trials with 686 participants. Compared with the usual care, the home visit group showed a greater reduction in glycated hemoglobin concentrations (mean difference −0.79% [−9 mmol/mol], 95% confidence interval [ CI ]: −0.93 to −0.25% [11 to −3 mmol/mol]; P < 0.05; I 2 = 0%), systolic blood pressure (mean difference −5.94 mmHg, 95% confidence interval −11.34 to −0.54 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (mean difference −6.32 mmHg, 95% confidence interval −12.00 to −0.65 mmHg). Furthermore, home visits improved quality of life, high‐density lipoprotein, low‐density lipoprotein, total triglycerides and self‐management. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in their bodyweight, total cholesterol, body mass index and self‐efficacy. Conclusion Home visits were associated with improved glycemic control and reduced cardiovascular risk factors, which shows that it is an effective method for diabetes management.