Abstract

Nonpharmacological interventions play an important role in the management of diabetes and its complications. This study analyzed the effect of nonpharmacological interventions on dietary practices, energy expenditure and management outcome in terms of glycemic and lipidemic status of type 2 diabetic subjects with hypercholesterolemia. These interventions included dietary advice, leaflets, televised lectures, booklets, posters and a bimonthly publication in Bangla. Eighty newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects (male: female ratio 47:33, age 46 ± 8 years) with hypercholesterolemia (fasting serum total cholesterol >200 mg/dl) were selected from BIRDEM by purposive sampling. The first interview was taken before any intervention while the second interview was taken after a minimum interval of 8 weeks. The daily intake of macro- and micro- nutrients was assessed by 24-hr recall method. Energy expenditure of the subjects was calculated by factorial method using physical activity level (WHO/FAO/UNU 1985). After intervention, the proportion of carbohydrate, protein and fat intake of the study subjects did not differ significantly compared to values before intervention. The daily intake of micronutrients also did not differ compared to those before intervention. No significant difference was found between pre and post intervention values of per day energy intake (kcal, 1621 ± 426 vs 1645 ± 623). Total energy expenditure after intervention was significantly higher (1649 ± 340) compared to before intervention (1519 ± 353, p<0.002). After intervention, fasting serum glucose level (7 ± 1.43 mmol/l), serum glucose 2 hrs after breakfast (11 ± 4.1 mmol/l) and total cholesterol (217 ± 35 mg/dl) were significantly reduced compared to before intervention values (9 ± 4, 16 ± 7, 231 ± 32 respectively; p=0.001 for FSG, p=0.001 for SGABF, p<0.001 for total cholesterol). Nonpharmacological intervention was found to be effective in improving the management of diabetes and its complications.

Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2009; 3(2): 75-77

Address for Correspondence: Farzana Saleh, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Nutrition, Bangladesh Institute of Health Sciences, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh, e-mail: [email protected]

Introduction

The prevalence of diabetes and its complications are increasing worldwide at an alarming rate. According to the WHO estimates, approximately 171 million people of the world are suffering from diabetes and this number is supposed to more than double by the year 2030.1 Dyslipidemia is also a common problem in type 2 diabetic population. Dyslipidemia is defined as total cholesterol >200mg/dl, triglyceride >150 mg/dl, LDL-C >100 mg/dl, HDL-C >50 mg/dl.2 Dietary restrictions, exercise and life style modifications are the initial nonpharmacological measures to control dyslipidemia. Balanced diet and physical activity assists in controlling blood glucose and lipids.

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of nonpharmacological interventions on dietary practice, energy expenditure and management outcome in terms of glycemic and lipidemic status of type 2 diabetic subjects with hypercholesterolemia.

Materials and Methods

By purposive samply, eighty newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects (male: female ratio 47:33, age 46±8 years) with hypercholesterolemia (fasting serum total cholesterol >200 mg/dl) were recruited from the Out-Patient Departments of BIRDEM.

The first interview was conducted before the intervention. Second interview was taken after a minimum interval of 8 weeks. The daily intake of macro and micronutrients was assessed by 24-hour recall method. Energy expenditure of the subjects was calculated by factorial method (WHO/FAO/UNU 1985). Data analysis was done by using SPSS PC version 10.0.

Results

A total of 80 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects with hypercholesterolemia were included in this study. The characteristics of the study subjects are shown in Table 1. Age (mean ± SD) of the study subjects was 46 ± 8.38 years and among them 47 were males and 33 were females. Most of the subjects (80%) came from the urban area. Only 28% subjects were graduates and 47% subjects did manual work. Weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist, hip, SBP and DBP of the study subjects were (mean ± SD) 61.54 ± 8.33, 24.47 ± 2.9, 47 ± 22, 49 ± 22, 127.56 ± 17.9 and 81.06 ± 7.23 respectively. According to BMI classification 35% were overweight.

Table-1: Characteristics of the study subjects (n=80)

Results are expressed as Number(%), mean±SD. SBP= Systolic blood pressure, DBP=Diastolic blood pressure

Proportion of macro and micro intake of the study subjects did not differ significantly after getting intervention (Table 2). The daily energy intake and energy expenditure of the subjects is shown in Table 3. Energy expenditure significantly increased (p< 0.002) after getting intervention. After intervention, mean values of fasting serum glucose (7±1.43mmol/l), serum glucose 2hrs after breakfast (11 ± 4.1mmol/l) and total cholesterol (217 ± 35mg/dl) were significantly reduced compared to before intervention values FSG 9 ± 4 mmol/l, SGABF 16 ± 7 mmol/l, TC 231 ± 32 mg/dl respectively; p<0.001) (Table 4).

Table-2: Dietary intake of the study subjects after receiving intervention (n=80)

Results are expressed as mean ± SD and median (Range).

Table-3: Energy intake and energy expenditure of the study subjects after receiving intervention (n=80)

Results are expressed as mean ± SD. Paired t- test was performed as the test of significance, p<0.05 was taken as level of significance.

Table-4: Glycemic status and lipid profile of the study subjects after receiving intervention (n=80)

Results expressed as mean ± SD, FSG=Fasting Serum Glucose, SGABF= Serum Glucose After Break fast, TC= Total Cholesterol. Paired t- test was performed as the test of significance, p<0.05 was taken as level of significance.

Discussion

This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of nonpharmacological measures of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects with hypercholesterolemia. Diabetes and its complications can be prevented by lifestyle modifications like changes of dietary pattern, physical activity. Lifestyle modification is beneficial for preventing diabetes and CVD but is very difficult to sustain. In a Polish study, it was found that pharmacological as well as nonpharmacological interventions helped in normalization of glucose in patients with DM.3 In another study in Finland, after getting nonpharmacological intervention the overall incidence of diabetes was reduced by 58%.4  In this study, dietary intake of macro and micro nutrients of the study subjects did not significantly differ before and after intervention. After receiving nonpharmacological intervention, energy expenditure of the study subjects significantly increased (p<0.002). Majority (60%) of the participants performed exercise according to the instruction of the physician. It was seen that changes in dietary practice was relatively more difficult to change compared to initiation of physical exercise. Nonpharmacological interventions that emphasize lifestyle changes, including education, regular physical activity and behavior modification are important components in maintenance of the desired weight. After getting intervention, glycemic and total cholesterol level of the study subjects were significantly reduced (p<0.001). In Sweden5 and China6 studies also provided that changes in lifestyle were effective in preventing diabetes and its complications. Results of this study suggest that nonpharmacological interventions are effective in the metabolic control of hypercholesterolemic diabetic subjects. It may also suggest that more focused motivation is needed to improve the dietary practices of this population to prevent diabetes related complications.

Acknowledgment

The study was supported by ENRECA under DANIDA, Denmark; International Program in the Chemical Sciences (IPICS), Uppasala University, Sweden; Bangladesh Diabetic Somity.

References

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