Effectiveness of dietitian‐led diabetes management program on glycemic and diet control after a 2 year intervention in primary care in Taiwan

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate effectiveness of dietitian‐led diabetes management program on glycemic and diet control after a 2 year intervention in primary care clinics in Taiwan.MethodsAt baseline, we randomly assigned adult patients with type 2 diabetes to a routine care control (n=75) or a dietitian‐led intervention group (n=79) receiving diabetic self‐management education every 3 months.ResultsAfter 2 year intervention, completion rates were 77% (control: n=43; intervention: n=48). Hemoglobin (HbA1c %) were significantly different between baseline and 2 year only in intervention patients with baseline HbA1c ¡Ù7%, changes of HbA1c also correlated significantly (r=0.365, p=0.016) with carbohydrate intake. However, HbA1c did not improve significantly in control subjects regardless of entry HbA1c levels.ConclusionOn‐site dietitian‐led management of diabetes can improve glycemic control in patients with poorly managed type 2 diabetes in primary care setting in Taiwan.