The effect of diabetes self-management education on psychological status and blood glucose in newly diagnosed patients with diabetes type 2

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of self-management education on psychological outcomes and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to education group and control group. Education group received professional education and control group received routine outpatient education.

Results: A total of 118 patients were randomly assigned to two groups (education group, n = 63; control group, n = 55). Compared with control group, the anxiety score (36.00 vs. 42.50, P < 0.05) and depression score (35.50 vs. 44.00, P < 0.05) significantly decreased at the sixth month in education group, respectively. Compared with control group, fasting blood glucose (6.78 mmol/L vs. 7.70 mmol/L, P < 0.00), postprandial blood glucose (7.90 mmol/L vs. 10.58 mmol/L, P < 0.00) and glycosylated haemoglobin A1_C level [6.20 (5.80, 6.60)% vs. 6.70 (6.40, 7.30)%, P < 0.01] significantly decreased after the sixth month in education group.

Conclusion: The psychological status and blood glucose of patients with diabetes receiving self-management education were significantly improved.

Practice implications: Type 2 diabetes mellitus has been usually linked to increased prevalence and risk of depression and anxiety, which can affect blood glucose levels. Through education, the mood of newly diagnosed patients with diabetes improved, resulting in better blood glucose control.

Keywords: Anxiety; Blood glucose; Depression; Self-management education; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.