Qualitative Research Critique: Effect of Dietary Interventions on Managing Diabetes

Research Critique
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Research Critique
Introduction
Nursing Practice Problem
Diabetes is a chronic problem affecting many people globally. Dietary choices are crucial to how people with diabetes manage their condition. For instance, the amount and type of carbohydrates they consume directly affect their blood sugar levels, resulting in spikes, also known as hyperglycemia, or helping them maintain the desirable blood glucose range, respectively. Consequently, people with diabetes can manage their blood sugar levels by carbohydrate counting and portion controls. It is highly recommended to take low-carbohydrate diets since the body digests them slower, releasing glucose into the blood for a prolonged period. Conversely, simple carbohydrates like foods from refined grains, sugary snacks and beverages, and sweet fruits are digested sooner, causing fast blood sugar spikes in people with diabetes. Failure to control these rapid rises in blood glucose levels in the long term lead to various comorbidities, including kidney failure, heart disease, loss of eyesight, amputation, and further diabetic complications, such as diabetes ketoacidosis, which can be fatal. This evaluation intends to critique two studies focusing on the effect of dietary interventions on managing diabetes.
PICO(T) Question: Do people with diabetes (P) who take low glycemic diets (I) manage their condition better than those who do not consider this dietary choice (C) to control their blood sugar levels (O) for three months (T)?
Background of the Studies
Article 1: “Continuous glucose monitoring with low-carbohydrate nutritional coaching to improve type 2 diabetes control: Randomized quality improvement program.”
Griauzde et al. (2022) observe that type 2 diabetes is associated with widespread morbidity and mortality, making it a global health concern. Their study aims to establish the effects of personalized low-carbohydrate nutrition counseling in managing this chronic condition. It has several implications for both professional caregivers and diabetes patients, who should consider low-carbohydrate diets to ensure their Hb1Ac remains within the required range, thus minimizing its comorbidities and mortalities.
Article 2: “A food‐based, low‐energy, low‐carbohydrate diet for people with type 2 diabetes in primary care: A randomized controlled feasibility trial.”
This journal article acknowledges the challenge that people with type 2 diabetes confront in managing the condition, especially regarding the carbohydrate intake in their meals. It focuses on a feasibility study by practice nurses investigating the effect of total dietary replacement programs on these patients’ HbA1c and weight after three months. It is significant to determine healthy dietary practices for people with diabetes and enrich their primary professional caregivers with the knowledge for more informed dietary advice.
How These Two Articles Support the Nursing Practice Problem
Both articles relate to the PICO(T) question of whether people with diabetes (P) who take low glycemic diets (I) manage their condition better than those who do not consider this dietary choice (C) to control their blood sugar levels (O) for three months (T). To begin with, Griauzde et al.’s study evaluates the effect of using low-carbohydrate nutrition counseling as an intervention to improve diabetics’ glycemic control over 12 months. It includes a control group of patients who continue receiving the usual care for this study period.
Similarly, Morris et al.’s article focuses on a study by practice nurses and type 2 diabetes patients evaluating the impact of a food-based, low-energy, low-carbohydrate diet coupled with behavioral support on the diabetics’ HbA1c and weight for 12 weeks. With the results indicating clinically significant improvements in their glycaemic control and weight, it affirms the importance of considering this dietary choice to manage blood glucose levels and weight to avoid comorbid complications, such as kidney failure, heart dis...