NUTRITIONAL ORIENTATION TO PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS UNDER TREATMENT

Abstract

To analyze the occurrence of dietary guidelines for patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and then to correlate such guidelines with the efficacy of pharmacological treatment. A study carried out with patients attended at a medium-sized university hospital in Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected from 100 patients being treated for DM, including glycemia data, nutritional status, anthropometric parameters, and day-to-day dietary guidelines. There was a predominance of female patients (60%; 95% CI: 50.4-69.6), age range between 18-60 years (70%; 95% CI: 61-79), and prevalence of type 2 DM (78%; 95% CI: 69.9-86.1). Most of the interviewees were overweight (45%; 95% CI: 35.2-54.8), lack of dietary care (46%; 95% CI: 36.2-55.8) and sedentary lifestyle (65%; 95% CI: 55.7-74.3), as well as lack of knowledge about basic aspects of glycemic control. The correlated variables (p < 0.05) were: sex vs. time of diagnosis of DM; sex vs. type of medication used; age vs. type of DM; schooling vs. failing to take the medication when you feel well; used medicaments to treat DM vs. DM type; time of diagnosis of DM vs. performs physical activity. After analyzes and descriptions of the sample profile, significant anthropometric and health changes were found; hence, the patients were advised on the use of medications, healthy eating and life habits, aiming at increase their knowledge for the execution of measures toward health promotion (such as glycemic control and acquisition of a better quality of life).