en ● Health Systems مقاله اصيل پژوهشي Orginal Article <div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Background</strong>: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is associated with several complications. This study aimed to assess the effect of a structured nurse-led post-discharge follow-up plan on self-care behaviors, metabolic control indices, and adverse health outcomes in diabetics.<br> <strong>Methods</strong>: A total of 144 adults with diabetes were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received self-care education and scheduled follow-up with a nurse educator. Data on self-care behaviors, glycosylated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), fast blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol (TC), and adverse health outcomes were collected at the baseline and after a 3-month intervention. Outcome analyses were conducted based on the intention-to-treat principles.&nbsp;<br> <strong>Results</strong>: During the three-month project, the intervention group showed a significant increase in self-care behaviors (from 31.17&plusmn;7.69 to 31.32&plusmn;13.58, P<0.001), while the control group exhibited no significant change (from 31.17&plusmn;7.69 to 31.32&plusmn;13.58, P=0.907). After the intervention, the mean self-care behavior score was significantly higher in the intervention group (B=20.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 14.49%, 25.56%; P<0.001). Additionally, the mean HbA1c level in the nurse-led follow-up group was 0.70 units lower than in the control group (95% CI, 0.15%, 1.26%; P<0.001). The odds of achieving a good FBS level were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (odds ratio [OR]=7.79; 95% CI, 1.21%, 50.40%; P<0.001). Furthermore, the mean TC level in the intervention group was 20.31 units lower than in the control group (95% CI, 11.56%, 29.04%; P<0.001).<br> <strong>Conclusion</strong>: A structured nurse-led post-discharge follow-up plan significantly improves self-care behaviors and metabolic control in patients with diabetes. Implementing such interventions in routine diabetes care could enhance disease management and reduce the risk of complications.</div> Diabetes mellitus, Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), Fast blood sugar (FBS), Patient discharge, Follow-up studies 39 50 http://jrh.gmu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-2102-4&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Elham Saberi Noghabi saberinoghabie@gmu.ac.ir 100319475328460044139 100319475328460044139 No Nursing Research Center, Allameh Bohlool Gonabadi Hospital, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran. Reza Noori Rnoori68@gmail.com 100319475328460044140 100319475328460044140 No Nursing Research Center, Allameh Bohlool Gonabadi Hospital, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran. Azam Razizadeh fmhz.uni@gmail.com 100319475328460044141 100319475328460044141 No Clinical Research Development Unit, Bohlool Hospital, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran. Fatemeh Mohammadzadeh fmhz.uni@gmail.com 100319475328460044142 100319475328460044142 Yes Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Social Development & Health Promotion Research Center, School of Health, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.