Improved blood glucose control, cardiovascular health and empowerment in people attending X-PERT structured diabetes education

The aim of the audit was to assess the change in key health markers in people with, or at risk of, diabetes who attended X-PERT structured diabetes education.

Data from X-PERT programmes are entered into a central database. Twelve-month changes in anthropometric and clinical variables – and diabetes medication usage – are reported for programmes run between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2018. Where appropriate, paired t-tests were performed.

In total, 29,703 participants were registered to attend a programme during this period, of which 23,118 (78%) attended at least one session. Of those who attended at least one session 18,039 (78%) completed a programme. Ninety-nine percent (3342) of participants with clinical data available had type 2 diabetes. Meaningful reductions in HbA1c were seen (-8.6mmol/mol, 95% CI -9.2 to -8.0mmol/mol [-0.8%, 95% CI -0.8 to -0.7%]; n=2957; p<0.001); and there were statistically significant reductions in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (all p<0.001). No change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed. Of the 1180 participants who were recorded as taking diabetes medication at baseline, 632 (54%) were able to reduce the number of medications they were taking and 278 (24%) were able to omit them entirely. Participant empowerment score increased by 20%.

Improvements in glycaemic control, weight management and cardiovascular disease risk, as well as reduced medication requirements and an increased feeling of empowerment, were observed in people who attended X-PERT structured diabetes education programmes.