Abstract:

Aim:
The aim of the study was to explore the impact of the DAFNE (Dosage Adjustment for Normal Eating) education programme upon the QOL (Quality of Life) and HbA1c of adults with T1DM (Type one Diabetes Mellitus).

Background:
Diabetes education is increasing in importance. The National Service Framework for Diabetes has placed an increased emphasis upon diabetes education. In the UK, the DAFNE education programme is the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended course for T1DMs. To date, however, there is little published research in to DAFNE.

Methods:
This study examined a cross-sectional quantitative approach to investigate the effect of DAFNE on QOL and HbA1c. Data was collected using a previously validated questionnaire, the DSQOLS (Diabetes Specific Quality of Life Scale). The DSQOLS was administered to 18 adults with T1DM who had completed DAFNE and 10 adults with T1DM who had not completed DAFNE, all of whom were attending a T1DM outpatient’s clinic in a large teaching hospital in the East Midlands between November and December 2007. QOL and HbA1c of the group of T1DM patients who had completed DAFNE were compared to those who had not completed DAFNE.

Results:
It was found that DAFNE had a significant impact upon QOL (p=.030). Five different areas of QOL were examined with a statistically significant improvement in daily function of work and leisure time (p=.001); diet restrictions (p=.000); physical complaints (p=.001); worries about the future (p=.001); and HbA1c (p=.030). A statistically significant negative correlation was found in the DAFNE group between HbA1c and QOL (r=-.560, p=.030).
Conclusions: The DAFNE patients had a higher QOL and lower HbA1c, however, due to the methods involved, it is unknown whether this change was attributed to DAFNE, or whether the DAFNE patients had a higher QOL and lower HbA1c prior to completing DAFNE.

Keywords:

diabetes, education, dafne, quality of life, diabetes specific quality of life scale (dsqols).