Effect of the carbohydrate counting method on glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND The importance of achieving and maintaining an appropriate metabolic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) has been established in many studies aiming to prevent the development of chronic complications. The carbohydrate counting method can be recommended as an additional tool in the nutritional treatment of diabetes, allowing patients with DM1 to have more flexible food choices. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of nutrition intervention and the use of multiple short-acting insulin according to the carbohydrate counting method on clinical and metabolic control in patients with DM1. METHODS Our sample consisted of 51 patients with DM1, 32 females, aged 25.3 +/- 1.55 years. A protocol of nutritional status evaluation was applied and laboratory analysis was performed at baseline and after a three-month intervention. After the analysis of the food records, a balanced diet was prescribed using the carbohydrate counting method, and short-acting insulin was prescribed based on the total amount of carbohydrate per meal (1 unit per 15 g of carbohydrate). RESULTS A significant decrease in A1c levels was observed from baseline to the three-month evaluation after the intervention (10.40 +/- 0.33% and 9.52 +/- 0.32%, respectively, p = 0.000). It was observed an increase in daily insulin dose after the intervention (0.99 +/- 0.65 IU/Kg and 1.05 +/- 0.05 IU/Kg, respectively, p = 0.003). No significant differences were found regarding anthropometric evaluation (BMI, waist, hip or abdominal circumferences and waist to hip ratio) after the intervention period. CONCLUSIONS The use of short-acting insulin based on the carbohydrate counting method after a short period of time resulted in a significant improvement of the glycemic control in patients with DM1 with no changes in body weight despite increases in the total daily insulin doses.