title: Peer Support Training Improved the Glycemic Control, Insulin Management, and Diabetic Behaviors of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Rural Communities of Central China: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The efficacy of peer support in Chinese diabetes patients is still uncertain. The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of a peer support program on the outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes who received community-based insulin therapy in rural communities of central China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and eight eligible patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned into the traditional training group (control group, n=111) and peer support intervention group (peer group, n=97) between June 2013 and January 2014 in 2 rural communities of Jingzhou area, China. Both groups received 3-month traditional training, followed by another 4-month traditional training or peer support training, respectively. At baseline and 7 months after treatment, the blood glycemic level was evaluated by biochemical detection. Capacities of self-management and knowledge related to insulin usage were assessed by questionnaire survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-seven and ninety patients completed this study in the control group and peer group, respectively. There was no significant difference in age, gender, diabetes duration, insulin usage time, and complications between the 2 groups at baseline (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, peer group patients achieved a more significant decrease in blood glycosylated hemoglobin levels (P<0.05), increase in knowledge related to insulin usage, and increase of diabetes self-management ability (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peer support intervention effectively improves outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes in rural communities of central China.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Jingzhou First People's Hospital, Jingzhou, Hubei, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Kaiqin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Jingzhou First People's Hospital, Jingzhou, Hubei, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Yanlei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Surgery Room, Jingzhou First People's Hospital, Jingzhou, Hubei, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Zhongmei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, Jingzhou First People's Hospital, Jingzhou, Hubei, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Jingzhou First People's Hospital, Jingzhou, Hubei, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Xiaoqin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Jingzhou First People's Hospital, Jingzhou, Hubei, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Qiong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D002681:China; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D012424:Rural Population; D012657:Self-Help Groups
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin