The importance of therapeutic education in Diabetes

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a public health problem worldwide. In this sense, the Query Diabetes was developed and implemented at the Day Hospital Diabetes (DHD) since 2010, by a multidisciplinary team whose aim is to provide the person with diabetes strategies for better understanding, respect and greater autonomy in the management of disease. A mission shared by internists, surgeons, nurses, dietician and social worker who during the sessions, evaluate patients individually and in group sessions.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic intervention in people with diabetes education referenced to the DHD.

Methods: A longitudinal observational study of all patients referred to the Diabetes query during the 5-month period (January to May 2012). A questionnaire was administered before the first consultation and the other after the educational session (a second query). Finally became a statistical study based on Student`s t-test and Chi-Square test with statistical significance P <0.05.

Results: A total of 50 patients found that 52% were male and 48% of females. With an average age of 62.8 years and 14 years of evolution. Are already sick with various comorbidities, including psychiatric illness (36%), high blood pressure, hypertension (24%), dyslipidemia (4%) or the combination of several comorbidities (8%). The prevalence of chronic complications was 24% for diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy 25% to 15% for neuropathy, 21% for heart disease, 13% for peripheral arterial disease and 7% for cerebrovascular disease. At the end of 5 months after the educational intervention and drug, there was a reduction in HbA1c of 9.1% to 7.5% ± 2.2% ± 1.4% (p <0.001), an increase in the rate insulinization from 29.9% to 51.1% (p> 0.001), with no change in BMI.

Discussion / Conclusion: The therapeutic educaional Diabetes is an integral and crucial in the treatment of DM. A multidisciplinary assessment and delivery strategies to improve the relationship of the patient with the disease, along with pharmacological intervention, allowed a clear improvement of metabolic control.

Autores: S. Gonçalves, S. Estrela, A. Cardoso, C. Gonçalves.

Serviço: Hospital de dia de Diabetes; Directora: Dra. Cristina Gonçalves

Instituição: Centro Hospitalar do Médio Tejo

Posted by: Sónia Gonçalves, Dra. , Entroncamento, Portugal (04-Apr-2013)