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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Mar;36(3):543-9.
doi: 10.2337/dc12-1303. Epub 2012 Nov 27.

Assessment of barriers to improve diabetes management in older adults: a randomized controlled study

Medha N Munshi  1 , Alissa R Segal, Emmy Suhl, Courtney Ryan, Adrianne Sternthal, Judy Giusti, Yishan Lee, Shane Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Staum, Patricia Bonsignor, Laura DesRochers, Richard McCartney, Katie Weinger
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Assessment of barriers to improve diabetes management in older adults: a randomized controlled study

Medha N Munshi et al. Diabetes Care. 2013 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether assessment of barriers to self-care and strategies to cope with these barriers in older adults with diabetes is superior to usual care with attention control. The American Diabetes Association guidelines recommend the assessment of age-specific barriers. However, the effect of such strategy on outcomes is unknown.

Research design and methods: We randomized 100 subjects aged ≥69 years with poorly controlled diabetes (A1C >8%) in two groups. A geriatric diabetes team assessed barriers and developed strategies to help patients cope with barriers for an intervention group. The control group received equal amounts of attention time. The active intervention was performed for the first 6 months, followed by a "no-contact" period. Outcome measures included A1C, Tinetti test, 6-min walk test (6MWT), self-care frequency, and diabetes-related distress.

Results: We assessed 100 patients (age 75 ± 5 years, duration 21 ± 13 years, 68% type 2 diabetes, 89% on insulin) over 12 months. After the active period, A1C decreased by -0.45% in the intervention group vs. -0.31% in the control group. At 12 months, A1C decreased further in the intervention group by -0.21% vs. 0% in control group (linear mixed-model, P < 0.03). The intervention group showed additional benefits in scores on measures of self-care (Self-Care Inventory-R), gait and balance (Tinetti), and endurance (6MWT) compared with the control group. Diabetes-related distress improved in both groups.

Conclusions: Only attention between clinic visits lowers diabetes-related distress in older adults. However, communication with an educator cognizant of patients' barriers improves glycemic control and self-care frequency, maintains functionality, and lowers distress in this population.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01480804 NCT01486290.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Randomization and completion of the 6- and 12-month evaluations.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes in variables from baseline to 6 and 12 months for A1C (A), PAID score (B), Tinetti scores (C), SCI-R (D), and 6MWT (E). *P ≤ 0.05.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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