Objective: To compare glycemic variability, mean plasma glucose, number of capillary blood glucose tests, and cost between the Phramongkutklao’s diabetic formula and commercial diabetic formula in continuous tube fed patients with stable condition in type 2 diabetes.

Material and Method: A cross-over design study was performed between October 2010 and February 2011 in the medical department in Phramongkutklao Hospital. The researchers enrolled type 2 diabetic patients with stable condition who were on continuous tube fed. Seventy-two-hour continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring was performed in all patients. Comparison of mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), mean plasma glucose, cost, and number of capillary blood glucose tests were analyzed by using non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Significance was defined as p<0.05.

Results: Ten subjects were included in the present study. The Phramongkutklao’s Diabetic Formula resulted in significantly lower mean plasma glucose (122±26.25 vs. 144.68±36.91 mg/dL, p = 0.022), cost (550.1±33.57 vs. 797.81±42.29 baht, p = 0.004), and number of capillary blood glucose tests (5±0.94 vs. 5.3±0.82 times, p = 0.083) when compared with commercial diabetic formula, but no significant difference in MAGE level (5.86±2.78 vs. 7.71±4.34 mg/dL, p = 0.333).

Conclusion: The Phramongkutklao’s diabetic formula has significantly lower mean plasma glucose, less number of capillary blood glucose tests, and is less expensive than commercial diabetic formula. The glucose variability (MAGE) of the Phramongkutklao diabetic formula has also less than commercial diabetic formula, but does not reach statistical significance. The level of plasma glucose was lower than 180 mg/dL in both formulas.

Keywords: Glycemic variability, Diabetic formula, Type 2 diabetes