Although the importance of support of patients by family members is emphasized for diabetes care, evidence of achieving adequate glycemic control (GC) through instructing family members to help in self-management care of diabetes patients has not been established. This meta-analysis assessed the effect of family-oriented diabetes programs on GC. The pooled A1C change shown in 31 studies that were retrieved from systematic literature searches for clinical trials presenting data on the net effect of family education on the reduction in glycohemoglobin A1C (A1C) (i.e., difference in A1C change between intervention groups involving family members and that not involving family members [control group]) was -0.45% (PP<0.001). When separating trials limited to type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the pooled A1C values were -0.35% (P=0.001) and -0.71% (P<0.001), respectively (Figure). Current meta-analysis indicates that involving family members in diabetes education programs is an effective strategy for improved GC predominantly in patients with type 2 diabetes. Figure legend: Forest plot of differences in changes in A1C between intervention and control groups. Effect size below zero indicates an A1C reduction larger in the intervention group than in the control group.
S. Kodama: None. K. Fujihara: None. H. Ishiguro: Research Support; Self; MSD K.K., Sanofi K.K., Eli Lilly and Company. C. Horikawa: None. Y. Yachi: None. M. Ishizawa: None. S. Matsunaga: None. S. Tanaka: None. K. Kato: None. H. Sone: Research Support; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, MSD K.K., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Takeda Development Center Asia, Pte. Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd., Sanofi, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., Eisai Inc..
