SAT-LB027 Does Diabetes Education Influence Glycosylated Hemoglobin?

Background: Even though patient education is considered an essential component of diabetes management, little is known about the effectiveness of formal diabetes management classes. Methods: Our institution offers a four-week class in self-management of diabetes. The classes are free, taught by certified diabetes educators, and are offered at times believed to be convenient for members of our community. The curriculum addresses diabetes pathophysiology, self-management of glucose, healthy eating, medications, healthy coping, and the benefits of exercise. We evaluated the impact of diabetes education on a cohort of patients who attended diabetes classes between 2015 and 2018. Patients had glycosylated hemoglobin (Hgba1c) measured before and after classes as part of routine care. We limited our analysis to patients who had recorded Hgba1c before and 3-6 months after taking the classes. We used a paired t-test to determine statistical significance. Results: Of 296 patients completed diabetes education between 2015 and 2018, 139 patients (46%) met inclusion criteria. The mean age was 58, and 58% were female. The mean Hgba1c was 7.2±1.4 prior to the class and 6.6±1.1 at the next measured Hgba1c at least 3 months after taking the class (p < .001 for change). No significant difference was seen in impact of intervention between men (-0.57±1.4) or women (-0.59±1.1). Conclusions: In this patient population, diabetes education classes produced a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in Hgba1c. Our findings are limited by our inclusion criteria for patients with pre- and post-education Hgba1c; this population had a relatively low baseline Hgba1c and the impact of the behavioral intervention may be exaggerated by unmeasured confounders that also led to adherence with lab monitoring. Future research should be done to assess the impact of diabetes education classes on other populations. Unless otherwise noted, all abstracts presented at ENDO are embargoed until the date and time of presentation. For oral presentations, the abstracts are embargoed until the session begins. Abstracts presented at a news conference are embargoed until the date and time of the news conference. The Endocrine Society reserves the right to lift the embargo on specific abstracts that are selected for promotion prior to or during ENDO.