Effects of health education on glycemic control during holiday time in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether the effects of regular diabetes health education or a holiday-specific pamphlet before the Chinese New Year holiday period could improve glycemic control during the winter holidays among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Study design: Randomized controlled trial.

Methods: The study was conducted from October 2004 to December 2005 in Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Subjects were randomized to program 1 (receipt of regular diabetes education between October 20 and November 25, 2004, and then every 3-4 months) or to program 2 (receipt of a special reminder pamphlet during the holidays). The patients were seen and blood samples obtained on 4 occasions during the holidays and then every 4 months through December 2005.

Results: Ninety-three subjects completed the first 4 visits during the Chinese New Year holidays, and 89 subjects completed 12 months of the study. Fructosamine levels in program 1 increased more during the preholiday period than those in program 2 (mean [standard deviation] 7.4 [5.2] vs -5.3 [8.3] mumol/L, P = .03) during the preholiday period. Changes in fructosamine levels during the holiday and postholiday periods were similar in the 2 groups. At the end of the holidays, changes in glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) levels were 0.34% (95% confidence interval, 0.03%-0.85%) in program 1 and 0.09% (95% confidence interval, -0.23% to 0.42%) in program 2. After the Chinese New Year holidays, the groups had similar changes in A1C levels, with a slight downward decline thereafter.

Conclusion: A special educational reminder pamphlet for the holidays led to improvements in glycemic control during the Chinese New Year holidays.