Diabetes Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Diabetes, including details on insulin, type i, type ii, diet, treatment, prevention.

Long-term interactive group education for type 1 diabetic patients.

Mannucci E, Pala L, Rotella CM

Department of Clinical Pathophysiology Endocrinology Unit, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University of Florence, viale Pieraccini 6, I-50139, Florence, Italy.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of an Interactive Educational and Support Group programme (IESG) for patients with type 1 diabetes. A sample of 96 type 1 diabetic outpatients was studied measuring the effects of participation in IEGS on metabolic control and diabetes-related quality of life (QoL). Those refusing to participate (n = 48) and a sample of 37 patients who were not invited to IESG (control) where studied for comparison. After one year, participants showed a significant (p < 0.05) improvement of HbA(1c) from 7.7+/-1.6 to 7.2+/-1.5%, whereas no variation of HbA(1c) was observed in non-participants and controls. No significant variation of QoL was observed in any of the three groups. At two-years follow-up, HbA(1c) of the patients attending IESG was not significantly different from that at one-year follow-up, and it was significantly lower than that observed at enrolment. QoL showed a significant improvement at 2 years with respect to baseline and one-year follow-up. In conclusion, this programme appears to be effective in the improvement of medium term metabolic control and QoL.

Published 3 May 2005 in Acta Diabetol, 42(1): 1-6.
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