A new study from the American Association of Diabetes Educators, funded by The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, has shown diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) can lower A1C by as much as 1.7% when offered in accredited federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). In addition, there were significant improvements in body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and depression screening scores.

The research took place in four accredited FQHC DSMES programs using participants with an A1C greater than 8. The initial aim of this randomized controlled study was to determine whether including additional diabetes support through scheduled phone calls with community health workers for an economically vulnerable population might better meet the needs for the person with diabetes and improve outcomes. The control group was offered usual care face-to-face DSMES while the other was given structured telephonic support in addition to concurrent comprehensive face-to-face education. While the addition of telephone support did not produce statistically significant clinical or behavioral outcomes, individuals in both the usual care and telephonic support group showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in A1C.

Results from the study showed that person-centered, team-based care for all participants produced a 12-month A1C reduction of 1.7 and 1.4 for intervention and control groups, respectively. To put that into perspective, most diabetes medications reduce A1C by around 1%. And studies have shown that a reduction as little as 1% was associated with a 37% decrease in risk for microvascular complications and a 21% reduction in risk for any diabetes-related complication. This AADE clinical study builds on previous studies showing the impact DSMES has on individuals with diabetes.

Click here to read the full study.

 

About AADE
AADE is a multi-disciplinary professional membership organization dedicated to improving diabetes care through innovative education, management and support. With more than 14,000 professional members including nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, exercise specialists, and others, AADE has a vast network of practitioners working with people who have, are affected by or are at risk for diabetes. Learn more at www.diabeteseducator.org, or visit us on Facebook (American Association of Diabetes Educators), Twitter (@AADEdiabetes) and Instagram (@AADEdiabetes).