Diabetes Self-Management Education and Medical Nutrition Therapy: A Multisite Study Documenting the Efficacy of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Interventions in the Management of Glycemic Control and Diabetic Dyslipidemia through Retrospective Chart Review

Background: Diabetes self-management education (DSME) and medical nutrition therapy (MNT) improve glycemic control and reduce risk of chronic comorbid disease. Objective: Document outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) completing DSME and MNT through American Diabetes Association–recognized programs. Design: Descriptive, retrospective chart review. Participants/setting: Four random samples of 100 records of patients with T2D completing DSME and MNT at each of four regional centers in Alabama, June 2013 to 2014, were chosen for review; after exclusions, 392 records were retained. Outcome measures: Weight, body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), triglycerides (TG), and TG-to-HDL ratio. Analysis: Mixed-model analysis of variance was used to determine differences between continuous variables. McNemar test was used to assess frequency of patients reaching glycemic targets. Paired t tests were used to determine significance of lipid parameters. Results: Significant reductions were observed at end of program and 1 year in weight (2.67±5.54 kg, P<0.001; 2.25±5.45 kg, P=0.001), BMI (0.93±1.91, P<0.001; 0.76±1.93, P=0.001), and HbA1c (1.82%±2.23%, P<0.001; 1.22%±2.15%, P<0.001). Patients managed by diet alone had a mean baseline HbA1c of 6.95% and exhibited a 0.8% reduction in HbA1c (P<0.001) at end of program. Those managed with diet plus drug therapy had a baseline HbA1c of 9% and exhibited a 2.09% reduction in HbA1c (P<0.001). Following DSME and MNT, 62% of patients reached glycemic targets (HcA1c≤7%), as compared with 32% at baseline (P<0.001). Significant reductions in TG were observed from baseline (162±74 mg/dL [4.19±1.91 mmol/L]) to follow-up (109±36 mg/dL [2.82±0.92 mmol/L]) (P<0.001). HDL increased from baseline (45±13 mg/dL [1.16±0.34 mmol/L]) to follow-up (48±11 mg/dL [1.24±0.28 mmol/L]) (P=0.05). The TG-to-HDL ratio improved from a baseline of 4.07±2.41 to 2.48±1.26 at follow-up (P<0.001). Conclusions: Reductions were observed in weight, BMI, HbA1c, TG, and TG-to-HDL ratio. Improved patient outcomes were achieved in the clinical setting and support universal coverage to increase patient access to DSME and MNT.