A randomized clinical trial with two doses of an enteral diabetes-specific suplements in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to investigate whether two different daily doses of a high monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) specific diabetes enteral formula could improve nutritional variables as well as metabolic parameters.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a randomized, open-label, multicenter, parallel group study. 27 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 with recent weight loss were randomized to one of two study groups: group 1 (two cans per day) and group 2 (three cans per day) for a ten week period.

RESULTS: A significative decrease of HbA1c was detected in both groups. The decrease 0.98% (confidence interval 95% 0.19-1.88) was higher in group 2 than group 1 0.60% (confidence interval 95% 0.14-1.04). A significant increase of weight, body mass index, fat mass, albumin, prealbumin and transferrin was observed in both groups without statistical differences in this improvement between both groups. The increase of weight 4.59kg (confidence interval 95% 1.71-9.49) was higher in group 2 than group 1 1.46% (confidence interval 95% 0.39-2.54). Gastrointestinal tolerance (diarrhea episodes) with both formulas was good, without statistical differences (7.60% vs 7.14%: ns).

CONCLUSIONS: A high monounsaturated fatty acid diabetes-specific supplement improved HbA1c and nutritional status. These improvements were higher with three supplements than with two per day.