November - 5 - 2009
Patients with diabetes who receive tube feeding can significantly improve longer-term glycemic control with the use of a diabetes-specific feed, a new study shows. Researchers assigned 25 patients with type 2 diabetes to receive a soy-protein based, multi-fiber, diabetes-specific feed or an isocaloric, fiber-containing standard feed for 12 weeks. At the same time, the patients continued to take their diabetes medication. The researchers assessed several glycemic parameters at the beginning of the study, at six weeks, and at 12 weeks. Glycosylated hemoglobin decreased over time in the diabetes-specific feed group compared to the standard feed group. However, the study found no significant treatment time effect for fasting glucose, insulin, or lipid profile, except for an HDL increase in the diabetes-specific group. The researchers note that the improved longer-term glycemic control seen with with the diabetes-specific feed "was achieved in addition to on-going anti-[diabetes] medication and may affect clinical outcome."