Effectiveness of the diabetes education and self management for ongoing and newly diagnosed (DESMOND) programme for people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: cluster randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured group education programme on biomedical, psychosocial, and lifestyle measures in people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
Multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial in primary care with randomisation at practice level.


METHODS
207 general practices in 13 primary care sites in the United Kingdom.


METHODS
824 adults (55% men, mean age 59.5 years).


METHODS
A structured group education programme for six hours delivered in the community by two trained healthcare professional educators compared with usual care.


METHODS
Haemoglobin A(1c) levels, blood pressure, weight, blood lipid levels, smoking status, physical activity, quality of life, beliefs about illness, depression, and emotional impact of diabetes at baseline and up to 12 months.


RESULTS
Haemoglobin A(1c) levels at 12 months had decreased by 1.49% in the intervention group compared with 1.21% in the control group. After adjusting for baseline and cluster, the difference was not significant: 0.05% (95% confidence interval -0.10% to 0.20%). The intervention group showed a greater weight loss: -2.98 kg (95% confidence interval -3.54 to -2.41) compared with 1.86 kg (-2.44 to -1.28), P=0.027 at 12 months. The odds of not smoking were 3.56 (95% confidence interval 1.11 to 11.45), P=0.033 higher in the intervention group at 12 months. The intervention group showed significantly greater changes in illness belief scores (P=0.001); directions of change were positive indicating greater understanding of diabetes. The intervention group had a lower depression score at 12 months: mean difference was -0.50 (95% confidence interval -0.96 to -0.04); P=0.032. A positive association was found between change in perceived personal responsibility and weight loss at 12 months (beta=0.12; P=0.008).


CONCLUSIONS
A structured group education programme for patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes resulted in greater improvements in weight loss and smoking cessation and positive improvements in beliefs about illness but no difference in haemoglobin A(1c) levels up to 12 months after diagnosis.


BACKGROUND
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN17844016 [controlled-trials.com].
Davies
M J
MJ
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 5WW. melanie.davies@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
Heller
S
S
Skinner
T C
TC
Campbell
M J
MJ
Carey
M E
ME
Cradock
S
S
Dallosso
H M
HM
Daly
H
H
Doherty
Y
Y
Eaton
S
S
Fox
C
C
Oliver
L
L
Rantell
K
K
Rayman
G
G
Khunti
K
K
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001835:Body Weight; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents