[Systematic review of group educational interventions in type-2 diabetes patients]

To evaluate the effect of group educational interventions in type-2 diabetes patients. To analyse what kind of group intervention has the best long-term effects.

Systematic review.

Review of electronic data bases: CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PASCAL, and of the bibliographic references of the studies selected. Contacts with experts to locate non-published articles. Selection of studies. Randomised clinical studies with controls and quasi-experimental studies that evaluate group education interventions aimed at type-2 diabetes patients over 18 years old. These interventions were of any length and in any context, and their target was to improve quality of life, self-control, or metabolic control. The comparison group included individual educational interventions and non-interventions. VARIABLES RESULT: Quality of life, self-control, and diabetes control (HbA1c, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, and smoking).

Trial selection by 3 groups with 3 researchers in each, who independently reviewed headings, abstracts and key words of all the identified trials to decide on their eligibility. The quality of trials was evaluated by the criteria defined by the Cochrane Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders Group. Researchers assessed the articles independently; and discrepancies were resolved by discussion and consensus.