Impact of a diabetes educator-led clinic on the control of type 1 diabetes among adults

Abstract

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is on the rise globally. Patient education is a major cornerstone in diabetes management. Diabetes educators play a pivotal role in educating patients with diabetes mellitus. Objectives: To estimate the impact of a diabetes educator-led clinic on the control of T1DM among adults. This was measured through mean changes in HbA1c levels and alterations in perceived dietary and physical activity compliance among patients attending a Diabetes Centre in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: We enrolled 97 adult T1DM patients in a quasi-experimental study, conducted at a certified diabetes educator-led clinic. All patients were followed up for 6 months pre-intervention and for a minimum of 6 months post-intervention. Patients’ weight, self-monitoring of blood glucose, hypoglycaemic events frequency, HbA1c level and lipid profiles were routinely recorded. In addition, compliance with advice on dietary plan and physical activity recommendations was also assessed at the pre-intervention, baseline and post-intervention stages. Results: Post-intervention, participants reported better compliance with dietary and physical activity advice. Fewer hypoglycaemic events and higher self-monitoring of blood glucose frequencies were also noted. While there was no significant difference between pre-intervention and baseline mean HbA1c levels, mean baseline and post-intervention HbA1c levels showed a clinical and statistically significant difference of 1.01 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74–1.28). Mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride differences also showed small but significant changes. Conclusion: Attendance at a diabetes educator-led clinic had a positive and significant impact on the control of T1DM among adults. We recommend diabetes educator employment at outpatient clinics for adults with T1DM.