[Differential effects of diabetes education programs by levels of HbA1c and the presence of chronic complications in patients with type 1 diabetes].

BACKGROUND Diabetes Education Programs (DEP) that improve metabolic control are applied to a wide variety of patient types. The aim is to test whether DEPs work differently depending on the patient profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-six type 1 diabetics participated. They were divided into four groups according to their haemoglobin levels (range: 7-13 %) and into two groups according to the presence or absence of complications. The ECODI scale for assessing diabetes knowledge and the Frequency of Self-Care scale were completed by all patients. RESULTS The results showed that HbA1c decreased after the DEP, with some areas of self-care also improving. There were no changes, however, to diet or exercise. CONCLUSIONS DEP appear to work better in patients with worse control and with complications, suggesting that they have a certain role to play in prevention. Their lack of impact on diet or exercise, would suggest that the DEPs require improvement to include psychological strategies that motivate lasting lifestyle changes.