Efficacy of Diabetes Education in Adults With Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in Primary Care: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To analyze the effect of different diabetes education methods on metabolic control, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure. DESIGN: A systematic review was carried out. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), CUIDEN, Ibecs, and Scopus databases were consulted. The search was done in May 2018. Studies included controlled clinical trials on diabetes education in primary care that were published in English and Spanish during the years 2011 to 2018. RESULTS: The post-intervention results were as follows: glycosylated hemoglobin concentration (HbA1c) ranged between -1.6% (individual education [IE]) and + 0.05% (mixed education [ME]). The values of BMI varied from -0.7% (group education [GE]) to -0.3% (GE). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) fluctuated. SBP varied from -8.5 mmHg (GE) to +2.9 mmHg (GE); DBP varied from -3.1 mmHg (GE) to -0.9 mmHg (GE). Total cholesterol ranged from -15.9/dL (GE) to +2 mg/dL (GE). LDL cholesterol ranged from -18.3 mg/dL (GE) to -7 mg/dL (ME). HDL cholesterol ranged from +0.8 mg/dL (IE) to +8.12 mg/dL (GE). Triglycerides varied from -21.1 mg/dL (GE) to +11.0 (GE). CONCLUSIONS: The most profound decrease in HbA1c was achieved using individual education. However, to decrease BMI, SBP, DBP, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, group education was the most effective intervention. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To obtain good metabolic control, it is necessary to address both clinical and psychological aspects, including modifying nutritional and dietary habits, monitoring medication, increasing knowledge of diabetes, and combining theoretical content with physical exercise programs. Reinforcement strategies are very important to achieve the objectives of educational programs.

Effectiveness of an Interactive mHealth App (EVITE) in Improving Lifestyle After a Coronary Event: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Secondary prevention is essential, as it reduces the risk of further coronary events. Mobile health (mHealth) technology could become a useful tool to improve lifestyles. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an mHealth intervention on people with coronary heart disease who received percutaneous coronary intervention. Improvements in lifestyle regarding diet, physical activity, and smoking; level of knowledge of a healthy lifestyle and the control of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs); and therapeutic adherence and quality of life were analyzed. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial with a parallel group design assigned 1:1 to either an intervention involving a smartphone app (mHealth group) or to standard health care (control group). The app was used for setting aims, the self-monitoring of lifestyle and CVRFs using measurements and records, educating people with access to information on their screens about healthy lifestyles and adhering to treatment, and giving motivation through feedback about achievements and aspects to improve. Both groups were assessed after 9 months. The primary outcome variables were adherence to the Mediterranean diet, frequency of food consumed, patient-reported physical activity, smoking, knowledge of healthy lifestyles and the control of CVRFs, adherence to treatment, quality of life, well-being, and satisfaction. RESULTS: The study analyzed 128 patients, 67 in the mHealth group and 61 in the control group; most were male (92/128, 71.9%), with a mean age of 59.49 (SD 8.97) years. Significant improvements were observed in the mHealth group compared with the control group regarding adherence to the Mediterranean diet (mean 11.83, SD 1.74 points vs mean 10.14, SD 2.02 points; P<.001), frequency of food consumption, patient-reported physical activity (mean 619.14, SD 318.21 min/week vs mean 471.70, SD 261.43 min/week; P=.007), giving up smoking (25/67, 75% vs 11/61, 42%; P=.01), level of knowledge of healthy lifestyles and the control of CVRFs (mean 118.70, SD 2.65 points vs mean 111.25, SD 9.05 points; P<.001), and the physical component of the quality of life 12-item Short Form survey (SF-12; mean 45.80, SD 10.79 points vs mean 41.40, SD 10.78 points; P=.02). Overall satisfaction was higher in the mHealth group (mean 48.22, SD 3.89 vs mean 46.00, SD 4.82 points; P=.002) and app satisfaction and usability were high (mean 44.38, SD 6.18 out of 50 points and mean 95.22, SD 7.37 out of 100). CONCLUSIONS: The EVITE app was effective in improving the lifestyle of patients in terms of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, frequency of healthy food consumption, physical activity, giving up smoking, knowledge of healthy lifestyles and controlling CVRFs, quality of life, and overall satisfaction. The app satisfaction and usability were excellent. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04118504; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04118504.

Impact of mHealth application on adherence to cardiac rehabilitation guidelines after a coronary event: Randomised controlled clinical trial protocol.

Background: Coronary disease is the main cause of death around the world. mHealth technology is considered attractive and promising to promote behavioural changes aimed at healthy lifestyle habits among coronary patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of an mHealth intervention regarding improved results in secondary prevention in patients after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or angina in terms of lifestyle, clinical variables and therapeutic compliance. Methods: Randomised clinical trial with 300 patients who underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implant. They will be assigned to either the mHealth group, subject to a self-monitored educational intervention involving an internet application installed on their mobile phone or tablet, or to a control group receiving standard healthcare (150 patients in each arm). The primary outcome variables will be adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity, smoking, therapeutic compliance, knowledge acquired, user-friendliness and satisfaction with the application. Measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, body weight, waist circumference (WC) and the 6-min walk test will be taken. Furthermore, the blood lipid profile, glucose and HbA1c will be evaluated. Clinical interview will be conducted, and validated questionnaires completed. The primary quantitative results will be compared using an analysis of covariance adjusted for age and sex. A multivariate analysis will be performed to examine the association of the intervention with lifestyle habits, the control of cardiovascular risk factors (CDRFs) and the results after the hospital discharge (major adverse events, treatment compliance and lifestyle). Conclusions: The study will provide evidence about the effectiveness of an mHealth intervention at improving the lifestyle of the participants and could be offered to patients with coronary disease to complement existing services. Trial registration: NCT05247606. [https://ClinicalTrials.gov]. 21/02/2022.

Effectiveness of mHealth Interventions in the Control of Lifestyle and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients After a Coronary Event: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease is the main cause of death and loss of disability-adjusted life years worldwide. Information and communication technology has become an important part of health care systems, including the innovative cardiac rehabilitation services through mobile phone and mobile health (mHealth) interventions. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to determine the effectiveness of different kinds of mHealth programs in changing lifestyle behavior, promoting adherence to treatment, and controlling modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and psychosocial outcomes in patients who have experienced a coronary event. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A thorough search of the following biomedical databases was conducted: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SciELO, CINAHL, Scopus, The Clinical Trial, and Cochrane. Articles that were randomized clinical trials that involved an intervention consisting of an mHealth program using a mobile app in patients after a coronary event were included. The articles analyzed some of the following variables as outcome variables: changes in lifestyle behavior, cardiovascular risk factors, and anthropometric and psychosocial variables. A meta-analysis of the variables studied was performed with the Cochrane tool. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool; the quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool; and heterogeneity was measured using the I2 test. RESULTS: A total of 23 articles were included in the review, and 20 (87%) were included in the meta-analysis, with a total sample size of 4535 patients. Exercise capacity measured using the 6-minute walk test (mean difference=21.64, 95% CI 12.72-30.55; P<.001), physical activity (standardized mean difference [SMD]=0.42, 95% CI 0.04-0.81; P=.03), and adherence to treatment (risk difference=0.19, 95% CI 0.11-0.28; P<.001) were significantly superior in the mHealth group. Furthermore, both the physical and mental dimensions of quality of life were better in the mHealth group (SMD=0.26, 95% CI 0.09-0.44; P=.004 and SMD=0.27, 95% CI 0.06-0.47; P=.01, respectively). In addition, hospital readmissions for all causes and cardiovascular causes were statistically higher in the control group than in the mHealth group (SMD=-0.03, 95% CI -0.05 to -0.00; P=.04 vs SMD=-0.04, 95% CI -0.07 to -0.00; P=.05). CONCLUSIONS: mHealth technology has a positive effect on patients who have experienced a coronary event in terms of their exercise capacity, physical activity, adherence to medication, and physical and mental quality of life, as well as readmissions for all causes and cardiovascular causes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) CRD42022299931; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=299931.

Validation of the General and Sport Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (GeSNK) in Spanish Adolescents.

The General and Sport Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (GeSNK) is an instrument that has been developed and validated to assess the level of nutrition knowledge in adolescents and young adults. The aim of the present study was to validate the GeSNK questionnaire in a group of Spanish adolescents in the framework of a Nutrition Education Programme in Secondary Schools in Andalusia, Spain. This cross-sectional questionnaire validation study was developed in two phases: translation-cultural adaptation and validation. A total of 305 adolescents aged 11 to 17 years, studying from the first to the third year of compulsory secondary education, participated on a voluntary basis. The GeSNK questionnaire consists of 62 items: 29 items for the General Nutrition section and 33 items for the Sports Nutrition section. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the complete questionnaire (GeSNK Total) was: 0.934; for the GeSNK General Nutrition section it was 0.918; and for the GeSNK Sports Nutrition section it was 0.856. The stability measured by the correlation coefficient for the General Nutrition section was 0.406 (p = 0.000); for the Sports Nutrition section it was 0.198 (p = 0.017); and for GeSNK Total the stability was 0.545 (p = 0.000). The questionnaire also demonstrated adequate construct validity. We therefore conclude that the Spanish version of the GeSNK questionnaire is a valid instrument to measure the level of knowledge in general nutrition and sports nutrition in adolescents.

In-hospital dietary intake and the course of mobilization among older patients with hip fracture in the post-surgical period.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Most older persons who suffer hip-fracture are frail and show comorbidities and functional deterioration, with poor short and long-term prognosis, high morbidity rates, and premature death. The aim of this work was to assess the association between in-hospital dietary intake and the course of mobilization of hip-fractured older patients in the post-surgical period until hospital discharge. METHODS: Prospective, observational, cohort study, n = 90 hip-fracture ≥ 65 years old patients. Pfeiffer questionnaire, Barthel Index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Mini Nutritional Assessment, mobilization and dietary assessment, body mass index, arm and calf circumferences and blood analytical determinations. The mobilization progress was assessed measuring the ability to sit down and walking, at 2nd and 3rd-4th days post-surgery until discharge, respectively. RESULTS: Charlson Comorbidity Index was associated with ability to sit down, and energy intake was associated with ability to walk. Energy and protein intake is an important factor influencing mobilization success in older patients after surgery. Poor mobilization is related to high Charlson Comorbidity Index. CONCLUSIONS: In hip-fractured older patients, energy-protein intake and comorbidities assessed by Charlson Comorbidity Index are the main factors associated with poor mobilization in the post-surgical period.