Effects of carbohydrate counting on glycemic control and quality of life in patients with type 1 diabetes: a pilot study

Aims: We investigated the effects of carbohydrate counting (CC) on glycemic control and the quality of life in Japanese patients with adult-onset type 1 diabetes as a pilot study.; Patients and methods: Seven patients with type 1 diabetes (3 males and 4 females) aged 62.0 ± 11.9 years were instructed in CC with subsequent insulin dose adjustments. We measured the HbA1c, glycated albumin, body mass index (BMI) and lipid profile, recorded daily energy intake and insulin dose, and administered the Diabetes Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ) and the shortened version of the Diabetes Diet-Related Quality-of-Life (sDDRQOL) scale questionnaire at baseline, 3 or 6 months, and 12 months.; Results: Glycated albumin but not HbA1c was significantly reduced at 6 months (P = 0.021), and both HbA1c and glycated albumin were significantly reduced at 12 months (P = 0.004 and P = 0.003, respectively) compared with those at baseline. The total satisfaction score of the DTSQ and burden of diet therapy score of the sDDRQOL scale were significantly improved at 3 and 12 months compared with those at baseline (P = 0.047 and P = 0.034 in the former and P = 0.049 and P = 0.044 in the latter). BMI, lipid profile, daily energy intake and insulin dose at 12 months were not different compared with those at baseline.; Conclusions: This study suggests that CC may improve glycemic control as well as the quality of life without worsening lipid profiles or increasing the BMI in patients with type 1 diabetes. © 2013, The Japan Diabetes Society.