Mediating the effect of self-care management intervention in type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of 47 randomised controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE
To perform a meta-analysis assessing the effects of self-care management interventions in improving glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes by analysing the impact of different study characteristics on the effect size.


METHODS
A literature search in eight scientific databases up to November 2007 included original studies of randomised controlled trials involving adult patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and evaluating a self-care management intervention.


RESULTS
The 47 included studies yielded 7677 participants. The analysis showed a 0.36% (95% CI 0.21-0.51) improvement in glycaemic control in people who received self-care management treatment. In the univariate meta-regression sample size (effect size 0.42%, p=0.007) and follow-up period (effect size 0.49%, p=0.017) were identified to have significant effect on the effect size in favour of small studies and short follow-up. For type of intervention and duration of intervention there was a non-significant effect on effect size in favour of educational techniques and short interventions.


CONCLUSIONS
In type 2 diabetes, there are improvements in glycaemic control in people who receive self-care management treatment with a small advantage to intervention with an educational approach.


CONCLUSIONS
Further research on frequency and duration of intervention may provide useful information to identify the most effective regime.
Minet
Lisbeth
L
Institute of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Denmark. lisbeth.minet@ouh.regionsyddanmark.dk
Møller
Sine
S
Vach
Werner
W
Wagner
Lis
L
Henriksen
Jan Erik
JE
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012648:Self Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin