An audit of diabetes control, dietary management and quality of life in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and a comparison with nondiabetic subjects.
OBJECTIVE
The study's objective was to audit current diet and disease management in a community-based sample of people with type 1 diabetes.


METHODS
The study involved adults with type 1 diabetes and control subjects. Reported amounts of dietary intake were collected. Indices of diabetes control were determined by standard methods. Quality of life of both groups was assessed with appropriate measures. Results were compared between two groups.


RESULTS
Mean HbA(1c) concentration was 8.5% (SD 2.21%) for women with diabetes and 8.6% (SD 1.91%) for men. There was no significant difference between the diabetic and control subjects in self-reported energy intake and macronutrient intake, with the exception that the contribution of saturated fatty acid to energy intake was higher in male controls than in male diabetics. There was no association between dietary intakes and glycemic control in diabetic subjects. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and plasma lipids in patients were within normal range and not significantly different from the controls. Plasma fibrinogen concentration was higher in patients. Diabetic subjects did not have a diminished quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary management in these patients was generally focused on controlling carbohydrate intake. Most had suboptimal diabetes control.
Tahbaz
F
F
Graduate School of Public Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Kreis
I
I
Calvert
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000178:diet therapy*; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012737:Sex Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin