ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effects of a peer support education program in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.Methods A total of 68 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus were enrolled and randomized into the experimental group and the control group,with 34 cases in each group.Both groups received diabetes health education for six months;the experimental group was given peer support education,and the control group was given routine health education.Fasting blood glucose,2-hour postprandial blood glucose,HbA1c,scores of China Diabetes Stress Scale,and perceived number of times for attending education programs were compared between two groups before intervention,and 3,6 months after intervention.Results The significant differences were found in HbA1c and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose between two groups and among time.Intervention and time interactively affected fasting blood glucose,2-hour postprandial blood glucose and HbA1c of two groups significantly.There were significant differences in total score,the scores of regular life,emotion and human relationship dimensions of Diabetes Stress Scale between two groups (P＜0.05).Among time the differences can be found in the total score and the score of each dimension (P＜0.01).Intervention and time interactively affected the total score and the scores of each dimension of Diabetes Stress Scale in two groups.Conclusion Peer support education program can promote blood glucose control in type 1 diabetes mellitus,improve their psychological status and increase their enthusiasm for being involved in disease management.