The Effect of Educational Interventions on Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with many serious complications. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the effect of educational interventions on glycemic control represented by changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in the patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients and Methods: This study was performed on 100 adults with type 2 diabetes using computerized randomization based on registration numbers from June to November 2012. An educational course of diabetes together with exercise training and nutritional education was designed for the study population in order to increase the patients' knowledge and attitude toward diabetes and to increase their participation in self-monitoring of blood glucose. Results: All the 100 diabetic patients completed the educational course. The mean age of the participants was 57.76 +/- 10.03 years (range: 40 - 75 years). HbA1c changes three months after completion of the educational interventions were compared to baseline values using paired sample t-test. According to the results, the mean level of HbA1C was significantly lower at the 3-month follow-up compared to the baseline (8.09 +/- 0.31 versus 8.51 +/- 0.26, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The educational interventions effectively improved the diabetic patients' glycemic control and are, thus, highly recommended for diabetic patients.