The Effect of Clinical Nutrition Education on Blood Glucose and Serum Lipids Control: A Study on Type II Diabetic Patients Referred to Diabetes Center of ShahidBahonar Hospital, Kerman, Iran

Abstract




Background: Diabetes is a common metabolic disorder. Clinical nutrition education is a key component in its control. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutrition education in control of blood glucose and serum lipids levels in type II diabetic patients referred to the diabetes center of Shahid Bahonar Hospital in Kerman.



Methods: In this outcome study, 150 type II diabetic patients who referred to the mentioned center were selected based on study inclusion criteria. Biochemical data before and after nutrition education were obtained from their medical records. Nutrition education was done by expert nutritionists in two phases; group education sessions (at least in one session) and one face to face session. Mean serum levels of biochemical data before and after the education were compared using paired t-test, Wilcoxon and through SPSS15 software.



Results: Patients' mean age was 43±8.7 years. Mean serum levels of fasting blood sugar, 2 hr blood sugar (mg/dl) and HbA1C (%) were respectively 8.92±2.1, 297±109 and 191.6±7 before; and 7.52±1.37, 229.7±80.1 and 147±48.6 after the education. All these parameters showed significant decrease after education (P<0.001). Meam serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-c and triglyceride (mg/dl) were respectively 187.5±119, 118.5±38.2 and 199±48.3 before the education and after education, they decreased significantly to 150±70.6, 97.4±33.9 and 170.3±38.6 respectively (P<0.001). Mean serum level of HDL-c (mg/dl) increased after the education, but it was not significant.



Conclusion: The study results emphasize on the importance of using nutrition education programs in controlling blood glucose and serum lipids level; in type II diabetic patients.