Modification of Clinical Indicators in Patients with Pre-diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus type 2 through an Educational Program

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the effects of a structured program of education in pre-diabetes (pre-d) and Diabetes Mellitus type 2 (dm2), given at the Primary Care level. Methods: quasi-experimental study, before-after, 98 patients of both sexes without social security, 20 years old or older, diagnosed with pre-d or dm2. Hemoglobin glycosylated (HbA1c), body weight and bmi were evaluated prior and after the 12 educational sessions. The Student-t test was used for dependent samples. Results: the pre-d group was formed by 27 patients and the dm2 by 71 patients. After the educational program, in patients with pre-d the HbA1c decreased in 0.30% (p=0.073) and 1.05% (p=0.000) in those with dm2; in the first group there was a loss of body weight of 870 g (p=0.010) and the second, 820 g (p = 0.016). Conclusions: learning about pre-d and dm2 can promote positive changes in self-care and medical treatment for the patient.