Nutrition Practice Guidelines for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus positively affect dietitian practices and patient outcomes. The Diabetes Care and Education Dietetic Practice Group.
OBJECTIVE
Assess the acceptance and ease of use of Nutrition Practice Guidelines for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus by dietitians in a variety of settings; determine if nutrition care activities of dietitians change when practice guidelines are available; measure changes in patient control of blood glucose level, measured as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c); compare patient satisfaction with care and perceptions about quality of life.


METHODS
Using the approach of outcomes research, volunteer dietitians were recruited and assigned randomly to a usual care group or a practice guidelines group. Patients with type 1 diabetes were enrolled by dietitians and followed up for a 3-month period. Outcome measures included dietitian care activities, changes in patient HbA1c levels, and patient satisfaction and perceptions about quality of life.


METHODS
Dietitians from across the United States who responded to a recruitment notice participated. Their work settings included diabetes referral centers, endocrinology clinics, primary care and community health clinics, hospitals, and a worksite clinic. They recruited patients from their setting for the study. Outcome data were available from dietitians providing care to 24 patients using the new practice guidelines and dietitians providing care to 30 patients using more traditional methods.


METHODS
chi 2 Test, t test, and analysis of covariance.


RESULTS
Dietitians in the practice guidelines group spent 63% more time with patients and were more likely to do an assessment and discuss results with patients than dietitians in the usual care group. Practice guidelines dietitians paid greater attention to glycemic control goals. Levels of HbA1c improved at 3 months in 21 (88%) of practice guidelines patients compared with 16 (53%) of usual care patients. Practice guidelines patients achieved greater reductions in HbA1c level than usual care patients (-1.00 vs -0.33). This difference was statistically significant and clinically meaningful.


CONCLUSIONS
Dietitians responded positively to practice guidelines for type 1 diabetes. Use of guidelines resulted in changes in dietitian practices and produced greater improvements in patient blood glucose outcomes at 3 months compared with usual care. Practice guidelines did not significantly influence patient satisfaction with care of perceived quality of life.
Kulkarni
K
K
Diabetes Treatment Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Castle
G
G
Gregory
R
R
Holmes
A
A
Leontos
C
C
Powers
M
M
Snetselaar
L
L
Splett
P
P
Wylie-Rosett
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000178:diet therapy; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin