ABSTRACT

Effect of an Intensive Management Program for Diabetic Patients on Blood Biochemical Profile, Diabetes Knowledge and Life Habits

Yeo Su Jeong
Advisor : Prof. Kim Bok Hee, Ph.D.
Department of Food and Nutrition,
Graduate School of Chosun University


Objectives: This study aims to identify the effects of an intensive management program for diabetic patients on blood biochemical profile, diabetes knowledge and life habits. For the purpose, this study divided the patents who were diagnosed as diabetes at the S health subcenter into the test group and the control group. Then the intensive management program consisting of exercise therapy and food therapy was provided for the test group for 12 weeks while only exercise therapy was provided for the control group.
Methods: The subjects were composed of 26 in the test group and 30 in the control group. The purpose and intent of this study were explained to them and a notice that they had a right to refuse this intervention program was given to them. They agreed to the survey participation in written statement. As a preliminary survey, blood pressure checks and blood tests (blood lipid, blood sugar 2 hours after meal and glycated hemoglobin) were made. This study investigated general characteristics of the subjects, life habits, activity characteristics, knowledge evaluation, practices of dietary guidelines and obstacles to dietary therapy practices. After the 12-week intensive management program, a follow-up test was given both to the test group and the control group. The data was analysed with the use of the SPSS 18.0. Subject rates or means±standard deviations were obtained for the followings: General characteristics, body measurements, obesity characteristics, body composition components, blood pressure, blood biochemical profile, disease characteristics, life habits, daily activities, diabetes education, percentages of correct answers in diabetes knowledge and diet knowledge, scores of dietary guideline practices and obstacles to diet practices. To compare differences between the test group and the control group, this study conducted a chi-square test and an independent t-test. For a comparison of differences between both the groups according to sex, age, education and prevalence period, this study carried out a paired t-test. To compare differences between both the groups before and after the intervention program, this study carried out an independent t-test. The statistical significance was p<0.05.
Results: This study examined changes before and after the intensive management program and discovered the followings: HDL-cholesterol values of the test group significantly increased from 39.8±10.5 mg/dL to 48.3±13.1 mg/dL(p<0.001); Blood sugar 2 hours after meal significantly decreased from 175.2±67.1 mg/dL to 140.5±42.5 mg/dL(p=0.014). The numerical values of glycated hemoglobin significantly decreased from 6.7±1.1% to 6.3±1.0%(p=0.010) and those of the control group increased from 6.4±1.0% to 6.5±1.1%. Both the two groups did not show any significant changes in life habits. In respect to daily activities, the scores of the four questions in the test group significantly increased from 3.8±2.4 to 4.8±2.5 (p=0.040). The scores of diabetes knowledge in the test group significantly increased from 11.5±3.6 to 14.0±3.8(p=0.001) while those of the control group did not change significantly. The scores of diet knowledge in the test group significantly increased from 6.7±2.2 to 7.9±1.7 while those of the control group did not change significantly.
Conclusion: Based on the results above, it was discovered that the 12-week intensive management program made positive changes in HDL-cholesterol, blood sugar 12 hours after meal, glycated hemoglobin, daily activities, diabetes knowledge and diet knowledge. Therefore, it is suggested that for efficient management of chronic diseases control and prevention projects, organized nutrition programs and strategies to decrease complications from diabetes should be developed.

Key word: Diabetic Patients, Intensive Management Program, Blood Biochemical Profile, Diabetes Knowledge, Life Habits