Effect of case management on glycemic control and behavioral outcomes for chinese people with type 2 diabetes: A 2-year study

Objective To examine the effect of case management on glycemic control and behavioral outcomes in adults with Type 2 diabetes in China. Methods Participants were randomly assigned to a 1-year case management (CM) group (n = 60) or control group (n = 60). Monthly case management visits included identifying individuals’ diabetes-related problems, setting goals, planning self-care, and evaluating progress. During a 1-year follow-up, all participants attended visits every 3 months without intervention. Results In the CM vs. the control group, HbA1c was reduced at 6 months compared to baseline (P = 0.034), with trends at 12 and 24 months, and empowerment ability improved (P < 0.05). Also in the CM vs. controls, total self-care behaviors, the frequency of exercise, blood glucose testing, and foot care were higher (P < 0.001) at 12 months, and the percentage of individuals with HbA1c ≤7.0% was higher (P = 0.035) at 24 months. Conclusion The case management intervention in China was effective at 6 months and, based on trends in HbA1c at 12 and 24 months and results for behavioral outcomes, the intervention shows promise and warrants more research. Practice implications A case management approach can enhance behavior change and glycemic control in Chinese with diabetes.