Tube feeding with a diabetes-specific feed for 12 weeks improves glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes patients.
OBJECTIVE
Assess longer-term (12 weeks) effects of a diabetes-specific feed on postprandial glucose response, glycaemic control (HbA1c), lipid profile, (pre)-albumin, clinical course and tolerance in diabetic patients.


METHODS
In this randomized, controlled, double-blind, parallel group study 25 type 2 diabetic patients on tube feeding were included. Patients received a soy-protein based, multi-fibre diabetes-specific feed or isocaloric, fibre-containing standard feed for 12 weeks, while continuing on their anti-diabetic medication. At the beginning, after 6 and 12 weeks, several (glycaemic) parameters were assessed.


RESULTS
The postprandial glucose response (iAUC) to the diabetes-specific feed was lower at the 1st assessment compared with the standard feed (p=0.008) and this difference did not change over time. HbA1c decreased over time in the diabetes-specific and not in the standard feed group (treatment*time:p=0.034): 6.9+/-0.3% (mean+/-SEM) at baseline vs. 6.2+/-0.4% at 12 weeks in the diabetes-specific group compared to 7.9+/-0.3% to 8.7+/-0.4% in the standard feed group. No significant treatment*time effect was found for fasting glucose, insulin, (pre-) albumin or lipid profile, except for increase of HDL in the diabetes-specific group.


CONCLUSIONS
The diabetes-specific feed studied significantly improved longer-term glycaemic control in diabetic patients. This was achieved in addition to on-going anti-diabetic medication and may affect clinical outcome.
Vaisman
Nachum
N
Unit of Clinical Nutrition, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Weizmanstreet 6, Tel Aviv, Israel. vaisman@tasmc.health.gov.il
Lansink
Mirian
M
Rouws
Carlette H
CH
van Laere
Katrien M
KM
Segal
R
R
Niv
Eva
E
Bowling
Tim E
TE
Waitzberg
Dan L
DL
Morley
John E
JE
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000032:analysis; D013025:Glycine max
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D011228:Prealbumin