CONCLUSIONS Despite a compelling theoretical base , research ers have only minimally studied the value of interventions targeting patients ' social networks on diabetes care .
OBJECTIVES In the care of patients with type 2 diabetes , self-management is emphasised and studied while theory and observations suggest that patients also benefit from social support .
We sought to assess the effect of social network interventions on social support , glycaemic control and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes .
Cardiovascular Risk Education and Social Support (CaRESS): Report of a Randomized Controlled Trial from the Kentucky Ambulatory Network (KAN)
Purpose : Test a practice -based intervention to foster involvement of a relative or friend for the reduction of cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes . Methods : We enrolled in a r and omized controlled trial 199 patients and 108 support persons ( SPs ) from 18 practice s within a practice -based research network . All patient participants had type 2 diabetes with suboptimal blood pressure control and were prepared to design ate a SP . A subset of the patients also had dyslipidemia . All study visits were conducted at the practice sites where staff took st and ardized blood pressure measurements and collected blood sample s. All patients completed one education session and received newsletters aim ed at improving key health behaviors . Intervention group patients included their chosen SP in the education session and the SPs received newsletters . Results : After 9 to 12 months , the intervention had no significant effect on systolic blood pressure , HbA1C , health-related quality of life , patient satisfaction , medication adherence , or perceived health competence . Power was insufficient to detect an effect on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol . Baseline cardiovascular risk values were not very high , with mean systolic blood pressure at 140 mm Hg ; mean HbA1C at 7.6 % ; and mean low-density lipoprotein at 137 mg/dL. Patient health care satisfaction was high . Conclusion : This practice -based intervention to foster social support for chronic care management among diabetics had no significant impact on the targeted outcomes
CONCLUSIONS Despite a compelling theoretical base , research ers have only minimally studied the value of interventions targeting patients ' social networks on diabetes care .
OBJECTIVES In the care of patients with type 2 diabetes , self-management is emphasised and studied while theory and observations suggest that patients also benefit from social support .
We sought to assess the effect of social network interventions on social support , glycaemic control and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes .