Comparison of the effects of individualized medical nutrition therapy and consistent carbohydrate meal-planning on glycemic control, energy, and carbohydrate and protein intake in hospitalized diabetic patients: A randomized clinical trial study

Individualized Medical Nutrition Therapy (IMNT) is recommended as a part of glycemic control in hospitalized diabetic patients. However, it is provided only for a small number of patients. This study aimed to compare the effects of IMNT and Consistent Carbohydrate Meal-Planning (CCMP) on glycemic control, energy, and carbohydrate and protein intake in hospitalized diabetic patients.

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 164 hospitalized diabetic patients. The patients were randomly selected from internal wards of Namazi hospital, Shiraz, Iran from September 2016 to October 2017. They were allocated to IMNT or CCMP groups using simple randomization for four days. Blood glucose was measured before each meal and at bedtime. A 24-h food recall was also completed to measure the energy and carbohydrate and protein intake during the study. The data were analyzed using independent sample t-test and repeated measures ANOVA via the SPSS software, version 19.

The results showed a significant decrease in the IMNT group compared to the CCMP group regarding the mean blood glucose level measured prior to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime during the first, second, third, and fourth days of the study (p=0.025, p=0.030, p=0.002, and p=0.011, respectively). Besides, mean peak and nadir of glucose level (p=0.042 and p=0.036, respectively) and the means of energy, carbohydrate, and protein intake were significantly increased in the IMNT group compared to the CCMP group.

IMNT could help to control the blood glucose. In addition, it could improve energy and nutrients intake, which might play a role in patient recovery.