The effect of basic carbohydrate counting on HbA1c in type 2 diabetic patients: A non-randomized controlled trial

Aim: To evaluate the effect of basic carbohydrate counting (CC) on HbA1c in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients using oral antidiabetic drugs in the primary care.

Method: The study is a non-randomized controlled clinical trial. T2D patients, aged between 18 and 75 years, HbA1c ≥ 6,5 %, using oral antidiabetic medication, were followed for three months in two groups: one intervention (IG) (n = 33), one control group (CG) (n = 45), in two different Primary Care Centers. General diabetes care was applied in both groups; basic CC training was given additionally to the IG. An informative CC booklet was distributed to both groups. Beside sociodemographic questionnaire, CC knowledge scale was applied to all participants; HbA1c, other laboratory, anthropometric measurements were performed at the beginning and at the 3rd month of the study.

Results: At the third month, HbA1c decreased within the IG from 7.7 % to 7.2 % (p:0.002), from 7.49 % to 7.46 %, in the CG (p:0.851). Comparing groups, the decrease in HbA1c in the IG was higher than in the CG (-0.5, -0.02, p: 0.018). Third month knowledge score was higher the IG's (<0.001).

Conclusion: Basic CC training provided to T2DM patients, improves glycemic control by improving HbA1c and increasing CC knowledge.