Lifestyle behaviors that reduce food and fat intake in patients with type 2 diabetes within 3months of diagnosis lead to a reduction in the HbA1c level after 12months.

Abstract

It is important to provide "Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support," the ongoing process of facilitating the knowledge, skills, and ability necessary for diabetes self-care, immediately after diagnosis. In this 12-month (12M) longitudinal observational study, outpatients within 3months of their first diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were surveyed at baseline (BL) and 12M using a self-administered questionnaire used in the "Lifestyle Intervention Support Software for Diabetes Prevention" and medical record survey. To explore factors associated with the change extent in HbA1c level during the 12M post-diagnosis, hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed with sex, age, HbA1c level at BL, medication in the first 12M post-diagnosis, and lifestyle behaviors related to diet and exercise therapy as independent variables. The HbA1c level of the 89 participants was 8.4% ± 2.2% at BL and 6.7% ± 1.0% at 12M. "ND06 I add milk to coffee or tea (reverse item)" (β = -0.110, p = 0.015), "RD15 I eat vegetable dishes such as a vegetable side dish and/or a vinegar or pickle dish" (β = 0.151, p = 0.003), "ND02 I eat until I feel full (reverse item)" (β = -0.115, p = 0.024), and "RD14 I select udon or soba instead of Chinese noodles in soups" (β = -0.113, p = 0.007) were associated with the change extent in the HbA1c level during the 12M post-diagnosis. Overall, it may be useful to support patients with T2DM early post-diagnosis to improve lifestyle behaviors associated with the extent of change in HbA1c level during the 12M post-diagnosis.