Impact of the conversation map tools in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and type 2 diabetes is the most common type accounting for 90% of all diabetes cases. Health education is considered as the first choice to control blood glucose levels. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effect of health education tool "Conversation Map" in diabetes patients to control blood glucose. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, and China Science Periodical Database up to December, 2015. We assessed the results using the inverse variance method to pool diabetes relative indicators, and assessed the heterogeneity of the results using I-square. Results: We collected 22 trials in our meta-analysis, which included 3360 patients. The results showed that the fasting bloodglucose level was significantly reduced in the type 2 diabetes group patients educated with "Conversation Map" when compared to their respective control groups (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -2.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.70 to -1.76, P<0.001). Also a significant reduction of 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (WMD: -1.59, 95% CI: -2.27 to -0.92, P<0.001) and Hemoglobin A1C levels (WMD: -0.63, 95% CI: -1.08 to -0.17, P<0.001) was also observed when compared to the control groups. Conclusion: Conversation Map is an effective health education tool for type 2 diabetes, and significantly reduced patients' blood glucose related index.