Comparison of Effects of 1-week and 2-week Hospitalization Training Using Critical Paths in Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Abstract

We designed a 1-week critical path for hospitalization training for type 2 diabetes patients, and evaluated path feasibility by comparing it to a 2-week path used previously. Improvement in mean plasma glucose during hospitalization was significantly greater in a group using the 2-week path (-48.5±57.4 mg/dl) than in one using the 1-week path (-22.4±41.5 mg/dl). No significant difference was seen between groups in HbA₁c 36 months after discharge—7.4±1.5% in the 2-week group and 7.4±1.3% in the 1-week group. The frequency of diabetic microangiopathy development and progression was similar in both groups. Results suggest that the 1-week path is as effective as the 2-week path for long-term glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients.