Self‐study material to prevent severe hypoglycaemia in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. A prospective intervention study

Abstract

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate use of self‐study material in diabetes education aimed at prevention of severe hypoglycaemia. Targeted self‐study brochures (and video programs) regarding diabetes self‐care and prevention of severe hypoglycaemia were mailed to all patients in early 1997 (and in 1999): a geographic population of 122–139 intensively treated type 1 diabetes patients yearly, aged 1–18 years (mean 12.2, SD 4.3), between 1994 and 1999. Yearly mean HbA1c (1.15% below DCCT level) ranged from 4.1 to 11.6% (mean 6.6, SD 1.1), age at onset 0.5–17.4 years (mean 7.6, SD 4.0) and duration 0.1–16.6 years (mean 4.6, SD 3.7). Main outcomes were patient attitudes to the interventions, perceived benefit, level of use, severe hypoglycaemia, and HbA1c.Eighty‐six percent of responders stated that the video was valuable. Perceived benefit was higher for the hypoglycaemia prevention video than for the brochure (p = 0.016). Those with severe hypoglycaemia the preceding year indicated greater benefit from the hypoglycaemia prevention brochure than others (p = 0.039). Average yearly incidence of severe hypoglycaemia with unconsciousness decreased from 13% in 1994–1996 to 9% (ns) in 1997–1999. The per patient cost of the material was <Euro 10.Conclusion. Self‐study material can reach high dissemination at a low cost. It also seems to have contributed to a decrease in severe hypoglycaemia, but controlled studies are needed. There is a great need for good quality patient/consumer information materials dealing with aspects of general management and risk prevention in diabetes treatment.The findings may have implications for other topics, ages, and diagnosis groups. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.