Tube feeding with a diabetes-specific feed for 12 weeks improves glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes patients☆☆☆
Received 18 November 2008; accepted 6 May 2009. published online 15 July 2009.
Summary
Background and aims
Assess longer-term (12 weeks) effects of a diabetes-specific feed on postprandial glucose response, glycaemic control (HbA1c), lipid profile, (pre)-albumin, clinical course and tolerance in diabetic patients.
Methods
In this randomized, controlled, double-blind, parallel group study 25 type 2 diabetic patients on tube feeding were included. Patients received a soy-protein based, multi-fibre diabetes-specific feed or isocaloric, fibre-containing standard feed for 12 weeks, while continuing on their anti-diabetic medication. At the beginning, after 6 and 12 weeks, several (glycaemic) parameters were assessed.
Results
The postprandial glucose response (iAUC) to the diabetes-specific feed was lower at the 1st assessment compared with the standard feed (p=0.008) and this difference did not change over time. HbA1c decreased over time in the diabetes-specific and not in the standard feed group (treatment*time:p=0.034): 6.9±0.3% (mean±SEM) at baseline vs. 6.2±0.4% at 12 weeks in the diabetes-specific group compared to 7.9±0.3% to 8.7±0.4% in the standard feed group. No significant treatment*time effect was found for fasting glucose, insulin, (pre-) albumin or lipid profile, except for increase of HDL in the diabetes-specific group.
Conclusions
The diabetes-specific feed studied significantly improved longer-term glycaemic control in diabetic patients. This was achieved in addition to on-going anti-diabetic medication and may affect clinical outcome.
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