Etchegoyen G: A model educational program for people with type 2 diabetes: a cooperative Latin American implementation study (PEDNID-LA). Diabetes Care 2001

evaluate its effect on the clinical, biochemical, and therapeutic aspects as well as the economic cost of diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS — Educators from each participating country were previously trained to implement the educational model. The patient population included 446 individuals with type 2 diabetes; all patients were,65 years of age, did not require insulin for metabolic control, did not have severe complications of diabetes or life-limiting illnesses, and had not previously participated in diabetes education courses. Clinical and therapeutic data and the cost of their pharmacological treatment were collected 6 months before participation in the educational program (26 months), on entry into the program (time 0), and at 4, 8, and 12 months after initiation of the program. RESULTS — All parameters measured had improved significantly (P, 0.001) by 1 year: fasting blood glucose (mean 6 SD) 10.6 6 3.5 vs. 8.7 6 3.0 mmol/l; HbA1c 9.0 6 2.0 vs. 7.8 6 1.6%; body weight 84.6 6 14.7 vs. 81.2 6 15.2 kg; systolic blood pressure 149.6 6 33.6 vs. 142.9 6 18.8 mmHg; total cholesterol 6.1 6 1.1 vs. 5.4 6 1.0 mmol/l; and triglycerides 2.7 6 1.8 vs. 2.1 6 1.2 mmol/l. At 12 months, the decrease in pharmacotherapy required for contro