The effects of a hypoglycaemia education programme on the outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to evaluate how a Hypoglycaemia Education Programme (HEP) affects the hypoglycaemia outcomes of patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This study which included a six-month follow-up was conducted with 101 patients with T2DM receiving insulin in the outpatient diabetes clinic. The patients were assigned to the HEP group (n = 51) and the control (n = 50) group. Patients in the HEP group participated in the Hypoglycaemia Education Programme. The patients in both groups were assessed at baseline, and one, three, and six months after HEP using the Clarke Hypoglycaemia Awareness Scale and the Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey in terms of frequency, self-management behaviours of hypoglycaemia, fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels, and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. Results: The HEP group had a higher score of hypoglycaemia awareness in six months compared to the control group (p = 0.006). Fear of hypoglycaemia decreased significantly (p < 0.001) but the frequency of hypoglycaemia did not change in the HEP group compared to the control group (p > 0.05). While self-management behaviours for hypoglycaemia improved in the HEP group, no change was observed in the control group (p = 0.005). Moreover, HbA1c lowered significantly in the HEP group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: As a unique first programme on hypoglycaemia management in T2DM in Turkey, HEP is effective for improving selfmanagement behaviours for hypoglycaemia, hypoglycaemia awareness, and glycaemic control.