Structured Type 1 Diabetes Education Delivered Within Routine Care: Impact on glycemic control and diabetes-specific quality of life

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether improvements in glycemic control and diabetes-specific quality of life (QoL) scores reported in research studies for the type 1 diabetes structured education program Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) are also found when the intervention is delivered within routine U.K. health care. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Before and after evaluation of DAFNE to assess impact on glycemic control and QoL among 262 adults with type 1 diabetes. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in HbA(1c) from baseline to 6 and 12 months (from 9.1 to 8.6 and 8.8%, respectively) in a subgroup with suboptimal control. QoL was significantly improved by 3 months and maintained at both follow-up points. CONCLUSIONS: Longer-term improved glycemic control and QoL is achievable among adults with type 1 diabetes through delivery of structured education in routine care, albeit with smaller effect sizes than reported in trials.