Education in Diabetes Mellitus for blood glucose self-monitoring: a quasi-experimental study

OBJECTIVE

to evaluate the contributions of an educational program for capillary blood glucose self-monitoring.

METHOD

a quasi-experimental study performed in an outpatient unit of a tertiary health care service in a sample of 25 people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, from July 2016 to December 2017, developed through interactive tools for care with capillary blood glucose self-monitoring.

RESULTS

among the items of capillary blood glucose self-monitoring that showed improvement after participation in the educational program, the most noteworthy are the "postprandial blood glucose values" (p=0.0039), "Interpretation of capillary blood glucose results with meals and medications" (p=0.0156), "recognition of the 'weakness' symptom for hyperglycemia" (p=0.0386) and "administration of medications correctly" for hyperglycemia prevention (p=0.0063).

CONCLUSION

the study made it possible to recognize the main characteristics of blood glucose self-monitoring that may contribute to the care for the person with diabetes.

Contribution of family social support to the metabolic control of people with diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled clinical trial

AIM

This randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the contribution of family social support to the clinical/metabolic control of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that requires continuous care in order for individuals to reach glycemic control, the primordial goal of treatment. Family social support is essential to the development of care skills and their maintenance. However, there are few studies that investigate the contribution of family social support to diabetes control.

METHODS

The study was developed between June 2011 and May 2013, and included 164 people who were randomized using simple randomization. The intervention group differed from the control group in that it included a family caregiver, who was recognized by the patient as a source of social support. The educational interventions received by people with diabetes mellitus were used as the basis of the education provided through telephone calls to patients' family members and caregivers, and their purpose was to encourage dialogue between the patients and their relatives about the topics related to diabetes.

RESULTS

Regarding the clinical impact, the results showed that there was a greater reduction in blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin in the intervention group than in the control group, showing a positive effect on the control of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Families should be incorporated into the care of people with diabetes mellitus and especially in health care programs, in particular those that can promote different forms of social support to strengthen the bond between family members.