Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating Course Research Articles

Experiences of people with type 1 diabetes fasting Ramadan following structured education: A qualitative study

Background and AimsAlthough people with type 1 diabetes are exempt from fasting the month of Ramadan due to the risk to their health, many wish to fast nonetheless. Little is known about the impact of structured education on the fasting experiences of people with type 1 diabetes. This study aimed to explore how the Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) course affected people with type 1 diabetes’ fasting experiences to provide insight into the benefits of structured education for people wishing to fast while managing their diabetes. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 DAFNE graduates who fasted Ramadan. The purposive sample was selected from the DAFNE registry at Dasman Diabetes Institute in Kuwait. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically in an iterative process. Topics discussed included fasting experiences prior to attending the DAFNE course, fasting experiences this year, and how DAFNE affected their fasting. ResultsFive themes emerged; (1) Reduction in fluctuations and complications, (2) Improvement in confidence and self-reliance, (3) Tailored support for dose and pump programming adjustments, (4) Positive effect on wellbeing, and (5) Encouraging informed-decision making about fasting. ConclusionsThe findings have provided insight into the impact of DAFNE structured education on the fasting experiences of people with type 1 diabetes and has shown how overall, DAFNE had enhanced the quality of fasting. In addition, by assisting them in fulfilling their fasting wishes, DAFNE has had a positive effect on their wellbeing.

Psychosocial outcomes in adults with type 1 diabetes following a novel ‘short course’ structured flexible MDI therapy self‐management programme

AbstractOur objectives were to evaluate the psychosocial impact of a novel education programme, comprising an abbreviated curriculum based on the ‘core elements’ of insulin self‐management education, with a view to identifying education options for those unable to attend a five‐day Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) programme.The novel programme was developed by DAFNE course facilitators and trialled using participants naive to flexible multiple daily injection (MDI) education. Post‐course treatment satisfaction, wellbeing and diabetes distress were compared to baseline.Twenty‐one adults attended the programme and 16 participants returned three months post‐course. Significant improvements were seen in W‐BQ12 total score, PAID score and DTSQ, equivalent to those observed following participation in the five‐day programme.It was concluded that short course flexible MDI education is well tolerated by adults with type 1 diabetes, with improvements in treatment satisfaction and psychosocial outcome that are consistent with the five‐day DAFNE programme. Further investigation of the longer‐term impact on psychosocial and glycaemic outcomes of this novel curriculum is warranted. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons.

The Impact of Diabetes-Related Complications on Preference-Based Measures of Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Type I Diabetes.

Introduction. This study estimates health-related quality of life (HRQoL) or utility decrements associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using data from a UK research program on the Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) education program. Methods. A wide range of data was collected from 2341 individuals who undertook a DAFNE course in 2009–2012, at baseline and for 2 subsequent years. We use fixed- and random-effects linear models to generate utility estimates for T1DM using different instruments: EQ-5D, SF-6D, and EQ-VAS. We show models with and without controls for HbA1c and depression, which may be endogenous (if, for example, there is reverse causality in operation). Results. We find strong evidence of an unobserved individual effect, suggesting the superiority of the fixed-effects model. Depression shows the greatest decrement across all the models in the preferred fixed-effects model. The fixed-effects EQ-5D model also finds a significant decrement from retinopathy, body mass index, and HbA1c (%). Estimating a decrement using the fixed-effects model is not possible for some conditions where there are few new cases. In the random-effects model, diabetic foot disease shows substantial utility decrements, yet these are not significant in the fixed-effects models. Conclusion. Utility decrements have been calculated for a wide variety of health states in T1DM that can be used in economic analyses. However, despite the large data set, the low incidence of several complications leads to uncertainty in calculating the utility weights. Depression and diabetic foot disease result in a substantial loss in HRQoL for patients with T1DM. HbA1c (%) appears to have an independent negative impact on HRQoL, although concerns remain regarding the potential endogeneity of this variable.

Improving management of type 1 diabetes in the UK: the Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) programme as a research test-bed. A mixed-method analysis of the barriers to and facilitators of successful diabetes self-management, a health economic analysis, a cluster randomised controlled trial of different models of delivery of an educational intervention and the potential of insulin pumps and additional

BackgroundMany adults with type 1 diabetes cannot self-manage their diabetes effectively and die prematurely with diabetic complications as a result of poor glucose control. Following the positive results obtained from a randomised controlled trial (RCT) by the Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) group, published in 2002, structured training is recommended for all adults with type 1 diabetes in the UK.AimWith evidence that blood glucose control is not always improved or sustained, we sought to determine factors explaining why some patients benefit from training more than other patients, identifying barriers to successful self-management, while developing other models to make skills training more accessible and effective.FindingsWe confirmed that glycaemic outcomes are not always improved or sustained when the DAFNE programme is delivered routinely, although improvements in psychosocial outcomes are maintained. DAFNE courses and follow-up support is needed to help participants instil and habituate key self-management practices such as regular diary/record keeping. DAFNE graduates need structured professional support following training. This is currently either unavailable or provided ad hoc without a supporting evidence base. Demographic and psychosocial characteristics had minimal explanatory power in predicting glycaemic control but good explanatory power in predicting diabetes-specific quality of life over the following year. We developed a DAFNE course delivered for 1 day per week over 5 weeks. There were no major differences in outcomes between this and a standard 1-week DAFNE course; in both arms of a RCT, glycaemic control improved by less than in the original DAFNE trial. We piloted a course delivering both the DAFNE programme and pump training. The pilot demonstrated the feasibility of a full multicentre RCT and resulted in us obtaining subsequent Health Technology Assessment programme funding. In collaboration with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Diabetes Research Programme at King’s College Hospital (RG-PG-0606-1142), London, an intervention for patients with hypoglycaemic problems, DAFNE HART (Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating Hypoglycaemia Awareness Restoration Training), improved impaired hypoglycaemia awareness and is worthy of a formal trial. The health economic work developed a new type 1 diabetes model and confirmed that the DAFNE programme is cost-effective compared with no structured education; indeed, it is cost-saving in the majority of our analyses despite limited glycated haemoglobin benefit. Users made important contributions but this could have been maximised by involving them with grant writing, delaying training until the group was established and funding users’ time off work to maximise attendance. Collecting routine clinical data to conduct continuing evaluated roll-out is possible but to do this effectively requires additional administrator support and/or routine electronic data capture.ConclusionsWe propose that, in future work, we should modify the current DAFNE curricula to incorporate emerging understanding of behaviour change principles to instil and habituate key self-management behaviours that include key DAFNE competencies. An assessment of numeracy, critical for insulin dose adjustment, may help to determine whether or not additional input/support is required both before and after training. Models of structured support involving professionals should be developed and evaluated, incorporating technological interventions to help overcome the barriers identified above and enable participants to build effective self-management behaviours into their everyday lives.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01069393.FundingThe NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research programme.

Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating: Longer Term Perspectives of Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

Aim: To explore the longer term blood glucose self-monitoring outcomes and frequency of monitoring for outpatients with diabetes type 1 after completion of the Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) course. The hypothesis was that DAFNE outcomes would differ according to frequency of glucose monitoring.Methods: A sequential data-triangulation design using existing baseline (T0) and 12-months (T12) DAFNE course data and interview data from 12 randomly selected participants who had completed the course two years ago. Results: Age range was 23 to 70 years with HbA1c 6.1% to 12.6% at T0 and 6.1% to 11.4% at T12. Comparisons of HbA1c, PAID, HAD subscales anxiety and depression, and covariate data between T0 and T12indicatedsignificant reductions in the mean depression and PAID scores (both P 0 and T12 was downwards for change in mean blood glucose level and all survey scales. The proportion of all participants with T12 HbA1c at or below their T0 value was greater than 50% (Proportion = 69%, 95% CI: 56% - 79%) but only the highest HbA1c tertile group showed a significant difference (P = 0.003). There was an average decrease in the incidence of hypoglycaemic events of 0.6 overall: The greatest change was for the high HbA1c tertile with a mean decrease of 0.8. The interview data suggested that DAFNE graduates experimented more with food, exercise, and insulin; gained knowledge; learnt personal body needs; increased awareness of blood glucose level; gained confidence and improved their quality of life. Conclusions: There was insufficient evidence to conclude that frequency of blood glucose monitoring influenced metabolic control. However, people with type 1 diabetes who undertake the less restricted DAFNE approach to diabetes self-management can improve their quality of life and glycaemic control.

The 5x1 DAFNE study protocol: a cluster randomised trial comparing a standard 5 day DAFNE course delivered over 1 week against DAFNE training delivered over 1 day a week for 5 consecutive weeks

BackgroundStructured education programmes are now established as an essential component to assist effective self-management of diabetes. In the case of Type 1 diabetes, the Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) programme improves both glycaemic control and quality of life. Traditionally delivered over five consecutive days, this format has been cited as a barrier to participation by some patients, such as those who work full-time. Some centres in the UK have organised structured education programmes to be delivered one day a week over several consecutive weeks. This type of format may add benefit by allowing more time in which to practice skills between sessions, but may suffer as a result of weaker peer support being generated compared to that formed over five consecutive days.Methods/designWe aim to compare DAFNE delivered over five consecutive days (1 week course) with DAFNE delivered one day a week over five weeks (5 week course) in a randomised controlled trial. A total of 213 patients were randomised to attend either a 1 week or a 5 week course delivered in seven participating centres. Study outcomes (measured at baseline, 6 and 12 months post-course) include HbA1c, weight, self-reported rates of severe hypoglycaemia, psychosocial measures of quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. Generalisability was optimised by recruiting patients from DAFNE waiting lists at each centre, and by mailing eligible patients from hospital clinic lists. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were identical to those used to recruit to a standard DAFNE course (e.g., HbA1c <12%, with no lower limit). Qualitative interviews were undertaken with a sub-sample of n=30 patients and their course educators (n=11) to help understand and interpret differences and similarities in outcomes between the two arms, and to identify logistical problems and unanticipated issues arising from the adaptation and delivery of a 5 week course.DiscussionThis trial has been designed to test the hypothesis that the benefits of delivering a structured education programme over 5 weeks are comparable to those observed after a 1 week course. The results of the trial and the qualitative sub-study will both inform the design and delivery of future DAFNE courses, and the development of structured education programmes in other fields of medicine.Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT01069393

Dose adjustment for normal eating (DAFNE): doctor programme

The dose adjustment for normal eating (DAFNE) course for people with type 1 diabetes is an evidence based, structured education programme that provides them with the skills they need to estimate the carbohydrate content in each meal and inject the right dose of insulin. A total of 3387 DAFNE courses were delivered up to June 2012. The DAFNE course is delivered to small groups by trained diabetes specialist nurses and dietitians over five consecutive days. Participants are taught to match their insulin dose to their chosen food intake on a meal by meal basis. The DAFNE doctor programme enables doctors to provide leadership and clinical support to DAFNE educators in the delivery of DAFNE courses. Doctors who have completed the doctor programme can deliver the introduction and facilitate the question …

Supporting self-management after attending a structured education programme: a qualitative longitudinal investigation of type 1 diabetes patients’ experiences and views

BackgroundStructured education programmes for patients with diabetes and other chronic conditions are being widely adopted. However, follow-up studies suggest that course graduates may struggle to sustain the self-care practices taught on their courses over time. This study explored the support needs of patients with type 1 diabetes after attending a structured education programme promoting an empowerment approach and training in use of flexible intensive insulin therapy, a regimen now widely advocated and used to manage this condition. The objective was to inform future support offered to course graduates.MethodsRepeat, in-depth interviews with 30 type 1 diabetes patients after attending Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) courses in the UK, and six and 12 months later. Data were analysed using an inductive, thematic approach.ResultsWhile the flexible intensive insulin treatment approach taught on DAFNE courses was seen as a logical and effective way of managing one’s diabetes, it was also considered more technically complex than other insulin regimens. To sustain effective disease self-management using flexible intensive insulin treatment over time, patients often expected, and needed, on-going input and support from health care professionals trained in the approach. This included: help determining insulin dose adjustments; reassurance; and, opportunities to trouble-shoot issues of concern. While some benefits were identified to receiving follow-up support in a group setting, most patients stated a preference or need for tailored and individualised support from appropriately-trained clinicians, accessible on an ‘as and when needed’ basis.ConclusionsOur findings highlight potential limitations to group-based forms of follow-up support for sustaining diabetes self-management. To maintain the clinical benefits of structured education for patients with type 1 diabetes over time, course graduates may benefit from and prefer ongoing, one-to-one support from health care professionals trained in the programme’s practices and principles. This support should be tailored and personalised to reflect patients’ specific and unique experiences of applying their education and training in the context of their everyday lives, and could be the subject of future research.

DIETARTY EDUCATOIN IN TYPE 1 DIABETES EDUCATION (DAFNE) AND ALBUMINURIA CHANGE: KUWAIT’S EXPERIENCE

The Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) course is a structured education program that aims to teach type 1 diabetes to change their self care behaviors by estimating the carbohydrate content of food and adjusting their insulin doses accordingly in order to maintain metabolic control. Microalbuminura is well known to increase morbidity and mortality. DAFNE has been found to improve the gylcosylated haemoglobin but no dietician education porga has been shown to be effective on albuminurea. Our aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a DAFNE course on regression of albuminurea. Seventy two type 1 patients have completed DAFNE course in Kuwait led by dieticians. Twenty eight participants were positive for albuminuria prior to DAFNE Course. Carbohydrate counting skills resulted in improvement of HbA1c. Twnety participants had regression in their albuminuria without blood pressure intervention. In conclusion, this study shows significantly improvement in albuminurea with sustained improvement in HbA1c through better carbohydrate skills. DAFNE course should prove cost effective with sustained glycemic profile and improvement of albuminuria and should become more widely available.

Glycaemic control and weight 7 years after Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) structured education in Type 1 diabetes

The provision of structured education is increasingly prevalent in the management of Type 1 diabetes. There are little long-term follow-up data from such programmes. We have assessed HbA(1c) and weight over a 7-year period following the Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) structured education course. We obtained annual HbA(1c) and weight data in 111 patients who attended the initial series of DAFNE courses in our centre from June 2002 to end 2003 and in a matched group of 111 patients with Type 1 diabetes of similar age and duration of diabetes seen over the same period who had not undergone structured education. With DAFNE structured education, the mean (± sd) HbA(1c) fell from 71 ± 12 mmol/mol (8.6 ± 1.1%) at baseline to 65 ± 12 mmol/mol (8.1 ± 1.1%) at year 1, with a subsequent rise to 67 ± 13 mmol/mol (8.3 ± 1.2%) at year 7 (P = 0.0048 vs. baseline). In the comparator group, the baseline HbA(1c) level was 70 ± 14 mmol/mol (8.5 ± 1.3%) and remained approximately constant during 7 years of follow-up. Weight increased by 2.4 ± 6.0 and 2.8 ± 6.6 kg in the DAFNE and comparator group, respectively, during follow-up (not significant). DAFNE structured education is associated with an improvement in glycaemic control at 1 year, and there remains a persistent and clinically relevant reduction in HbA(1c) of 3 mmol/mol (0.3%) after 7 years. The improvement in glycaemic control after DAFNE is achieved without excess weight gain.

Long-term biomedical and psychosocial outcomes following DAFNE (Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating) structured education to promote intensive insulin therapy in adults with sub-optimally controlled Type 1 diabetes

Aims To explore long-term outcomes of participation in a Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) training course, which provided one-off exposure to structured education in intensive insulin therapy to people with established Type 1 diabetes. Methods A cohort design follow-up of original trial participants at a mean of 44 months (range: 37–51 months) in hospital diabetes clinics in three English health districts. 104 (74%) original participants provided biomedical data; 88 (63%) completed questionnaires including the ADDQoL, measuring impact of diabetes on quality of life (QoL). Results At 44 months, mean improvement in HbA 1c from baseline was 0.36% (9.32 ± 1.1% to 8.96 ± 1.2%, p < 0.01) remaining significant but deteriorated from 12 months ( p < 0.05). Improvements in QoL seen at 12 months were sustained at 44 (e.g. impact of diabetes on dietary freedom: −1.78 ± 2.33 at 44 months versus −4.27 ± 2.94, baseline, p < 0.0001; versus 1.80 ± 2.32 at 12 months, ns). Similar results were obtained using last observation carried forward for patients not supplying follow-up data. Conclusions The impact of a single DAFNE course on glycaemic control remains apparent in the long term, although further interventions will be required to achieve recommended HbA 1c. In contrast, improvements in QoL and other patient-reported outcomes are well maintained over approximately 4 years.