Introduction and Objective: Structured education for type 1 diabetes (T1D) aims to empower individuals to manage their condition effectively. However, limited research has explored the long-term effects of structured education on glycemic improvement, severe hypoglycemia, or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This study assessed the 12-year impact of dose adjustment for normal eating (DAFNE) courses on glycemic levels, the incidence of hypoglycemia requiring emergency medical assistance, and episodes of DKA in people with T1D.Methods: This is a 12-year follow-up study of people with T1D who attended a series of DAFNE courses at Dasman Diabetes Institute. The study included clinical data from the DAFNE registry collected between 2009 and 2024.Results: A total of 925 people with T1D attended the DAFNE course with a mean (±SD) HbAIc 69.3 ± 18.3 mmol/mol. After 1 year, the mean HbA1c decreased to 63.1 ± 15.9 mmol/mol and further decreased to 61.0± 13.8 mmol/mol at year 6, and 59.1 ± 11.2 mmol/mol at year 12 (p<0.001). At baseline, DKA was reported by 13.5% of attendees and after 1 year reported by 4.6% of attendees. Over the 12-year follow up period, DKA was reported by less than 1% of attendees (p<0.001). At baseline, 7.8% of attendees reported hypoglycemic events requiring emergency medical services and after one year reported only by 1% of attendees and over the 12-year follow up period, reported by less than 1% of attendees (p=0.001).Conclusion: The DAFNE program can lead to reduction in glycemia, severe hypoglycemia and DKA with sustained improvements and benefits observed over a 12-year follow-up period.
J. AlKandari: None. E. Taghadom: None. M. Irshad: None. A. Megahed: None. L.G. Sojan: None. A. Abdullah: None. S. Murad: None. A. Alattar: None. D. Alroudhan: None. E. Al-Ozairi: None.
Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), Kuwait
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