Results of a Culturally Tailored Multidisciplinary Intervention on Diabetes Self-Care and Glycemic Outcome in Lebanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Enhancing diabetes self-care is known to improve glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). According to American Diabetes Association guidelines, a multidisciplinary and culturally appropriate intervention is needed for optimal diabetes self-care and glycemic outcomes. There is no published study that evaluated an educational intervention targeting diabetes self-care and glycemic outcomes in Lebanese patients with T2DM. Aim: The aim of this pilot-study was to test the effect of culturally-tailored educational program targeting diabetes self-care on glycemic control of Lebanese patients with T2DM, of low socioeconomic status. Methods: A sample of 27 adults (Age: 61±10 years, 59% males, A1C: 8.98±1.38%) diagnosed with T2DM for at least one year was recruited from two dispensaries in Beirut. Participants received culturally-tailored, multidisciplinary educational sessions based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral model and on American Diabetes Association’s National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support. Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA), Social Support Scale (SS), Diabetes Fatalism Scale (DFS), and Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT), as well as blood samples (HbA1c, Fasting Plasma Glucose) were collected at baseline and three months post-intervention. Results: Results revealed improvements in various diabetes self-care activities (Diet and Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose) after 3 months, which was reflected in a significant decrease in glycaemia (A1C: -0.6%; Fasting Plasma Glucose: -35 mg/dl; p<0.05). Conclusion: This is the first intervention study showing the effectiveness of a culturally-tailored, multidisciplinary education program in improving glycemic control and diabetes self-care behavior of Lebanese patients with T2DM. It sets the stage for larger scale implementation with more representative sample. Disclosure O. Sukkarieh-Haraty: None. M. Bassil: None. L.E. Egede: Research Support; Self; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc..