ODP203 Health Questionnaires are a Positive Behavioral Modifier In Patients with Impaired Blood Sugar In the African American Population.

: Type 2 diabetes and its complications have a higher incidence in African Americans as compared to other racial groups (1). As per the American Diabetes Association, the prevalence of diabetes in non-Hispanic African American patients is 11.7% compared to 7.5% in non-Hispanic white patients. However, few studies have explored what can be done to spark a positive behavioral change leading to lower blood sugar. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if a patient filling out a health questionnaire has any impact on his or her habits by enhancing self-management and awareness to reduce HbA1c. METHODS: In an outpatient urban clinic, a prospective randomized study was conducted with African American patients with prediabetes with HbA1c 5.6 to 6.7. Patients were randomly assigned to either a survey group or a control group who did not take a survey. The survey included demographic information, weight, diabetes mellitus complication awareness, exercise frequency 3-5 days/week, eating habits, and self-perception. The patients in the survey group filled a follow-up survey 3-6 months later. RESULTS: The survey group had 50 respondents and 46 respondents who took the post-survey compared to the control group for which there were 50 respondents with 47 respondents in the control follow-up. In the survey group, 54% were males with an average age of 57 years. In the survey group, on followup HbA1c decreased (6.1 vs 5.7 p<0. 021), BMI decreased (32 vs 29.1 p<0.562), exercise frequency 3-5 days/week increased (10% to 35% p=0. 041), awareness of diabetic complication improved (15 to 74% p=0. 029), willingness to see a dietician increased (28% to 60% p=0. 038), and probability of reading nutrition labels increased (16% to 38% p=0. 058). In the control group, 58% were males with an average age of 56 years. In the control group, on followup HbA1c increased (6.1 vs 6.2), BMI increased (32 vs 33), exercise frequency 3-5 days/week increased (13% to 19% p=0.820), awareness of diabetic complication improved (12%to 16% p=0.673), willingness to see a dietician increased (29% to 38% p=0.340), and probability of reading nutrition labels increased (14% to 19% p=0.646). CONCLUSION: Health questionnaires served as a positive behavioral modifier and helped patients identify and correct their harmful lifestyle habits. Patients in the survey group showed larger amounts of positive change compared to patients in the control group. Reference: (1) Marshall MC Diabetes in African Americans. Postgraduate Medical Journal2005;81: 734-740. Presentation: No date and time listed