Patients educational program in non-insulin dependent diabetics

ABSTRACT

This study included 40 patients 32 females and 8 males. All are non-insulin dependent diabetics with an age ranging from 40 to 60 years. They were subjected to history taking and clinical examination and educational program for three months. Estimations of the levels of glycosylated haemoglobin, fasting blood sugar, fasting serum cholesterol and fasting serum triglycerides were done and after the education program. Statistical analysis revealed that total HbA[1c], fasting blood sugar and fasting serum cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in all patients after educational program. An improvement in triglycerides level was observed in 47% of all patients after the educational program. Body mass index and blood pressure [both systolic and diastolic] significantly decreased in all patients after the educational program. There was a significant improvement in the clinical status of patients regarding number of clinical hypoglycemic attacks, number of patients suffering from tinea pedis and degree of fatigue on doing ordinary effort after educational program. We compared females and males in all studied parameters and we found an insignificant correlation. There was a significant positive correlation between HbA [1c]% and fasting blood sugar in all patients before and after education program. We concluded that educational program for NIDDM [diet education, urine self-monitoring and weight reduction] is considered as the cornerstone of therapy for NIDD patients. Further similar educational programs of longer duration is recommended to asses its long term effect on glycemic cnotrol of NIDDM