Research Article Fiber in Diet Is Associated with Improvement of Glycated Hemoglobin and Lipid Profile in Mexican Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Objective. To assess the association of dietary fiber on current everyday diet and other dietary components with glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c), glucose, lipids profile, and body weight body weight, in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods. A cross-sectional survey of 395 patients with type 2 diabetes was performed. HbA1c, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and lipids profile were measured. Weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and body composition were measured. Everyday diet with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was evaluated. ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression were used in statistical analysis. Results. Higher fiber intake was associated with a low HbA1c, high HDL-c levels, low weight, and waist circumference. The highest tertile of calories consumption was associated with a higher fasting glucose level and weight. The highest tertile of carbohydrate consumption was associated with a lower weight. The lowest tertile of total fat and saturated fat was associated with the highest tertile of HDL-c levels, and lower saturated fat intake was associated with lower weight ( < 0.05). Conclusions. A higher content of fiber in the diet reduces HbA1c and triglycerides, while improving HDL-c levels. Increasing fiber consumption while lowering calorie consumption seems to be an appropriate strategy to reduce body weight and promote blood glucose control

Inadequate diabetes knowledge is associated with poor glycemia control in patients with type 2 diabetes

Objective: To identify the association between glycemia control with level of diabetes knowledge, diabetes education, and lifestyle variables in patients with type 2 diabetes. Design: Cross-sectional analytical study. Site: Clinics of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Mexico. Participants: Patients with type 2 diabetes. Main measurements: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), glucose, and lipid profile levels were measured from fasting venous blood samples. Assessment of disease knowledge was performed using the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ-24). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured. Weight and abdominal circumference were measured, as well as body composition using bioimpedance. Sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle variables were obtained. Results: A total of 297 patients were included, sixty-seven percent (67%) were women with a median of six years since the diagnosis of diabetes. Only 7% of patients had adequate diabetes knowledge, and 56% had regular knowledge. Patients with adequate diabetes knowledge had a lower body mass index (p = 0.016), lower percentage of fat (p = 0.008), and lower fat mass (p = 0.018); followed a diet (p = 0.004) and had received diabetes education (p = 0.002), and to obtain information about their illness (p = 0.001). Patients with low levels of diabetes knowledge had a higher risk of HbA1c ≥ 7% (OR: 4.68; 95% CI: 1.48,14.86; p = 0.009), as well as those who did not receive diabetes education (OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.21–3.90; p = 0.009) and those who did not follow a diet (OR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.01,5.55; p = 0.046). Conclusion: Inadequate knowledge of diabetes, lack of diabetes education, and dietary adherence are associated with poor glycemia control in patients with diabetes. Resumen: Objetivo: Identificar la asociación entre el control de la glicemia con el nivel de conocimiento, la educación y las variables de estilo de vida en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2. Diseño: Estudio transversal analítico. Sitio: Clínicas del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México. Participantes: Pacientes con diabetes tipo 2. Medidas principales: Se midió el nivel de hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1c), glucosa y perfil de lípidos en ayuno. La evaluación del conocimiento de la enfermedad se realizó con el Cuestionario de Conocimiento de la Diabetes (DKQ-24). Se midió presión arterial, peso y circunferencia abdominal, así como la composición corporal con bioimpedancia. Las variables clínicas y de estilo de vida fueron registradas. Resultados: Se incluyó a 297 participantes y 67% fueron mujeres, con una mediana de diagnóstico de diabetes de seis años. Solo 7% tuvo un conocimiento adecuado de la diabetes y 56% un conocimiento regular. Los pacientes con conocimiento adecuado de la diabetes tuvieron un índice de masa corporal más bajo (p = 0,016), seguían una dieta (p = 0,004), recibieron educación en diabetes (p = 0,002), y obtuvieron información de su enfermedad (p = 0,001). Los pacientes con bajo nivel de conocimiento tuvieron mayor riesgo de HbA1c ≥ 7% (OR: 4,68; IC 95%: 1,48-14,86; p = 0,009), así como aquellos sin educación en diabetes (OR: 2,17; IC 95%: 1,21-3,90; p = 0,009) y quienes no seguían una dieta (OR: 2,37; IC 95%: 1,01-5,55; p = 0,046). Conclusión: El conocimiento inadecuado de diabetes, la falta de educación en diabetes y adherencia a la dieta se asocian a un control glucémico deficiente en pacientes con diabetes