Psychometric Properties of the Urdu Version of Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire

Factors associated with Diabetes Empowerment among patients with type 2 diabetes, at OPD setting, Karachi, Pakistan

Diabetes Empowerment is important for diabetic control as it postpones the onset of complications. This study aimed to investigate the association of medication adherence, self-care behaviors, and diabetes knowledge with Diabetes Empowerment among patients with type II diabetes. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 451 type II diabetes patients attending Endocrinology clinics at OPD setting in Karachi. Data was collected electronically using a structured questionnaire comprising of tools to measure Diabetes Empowerment, medication adherence, self-care behaviors, diabetes knowledge, and socioeconomic scale. It also included health-related information from patients' medical record. As outcome variable was continuous, so multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the independent effect of Diabetes Empowerment on medication adherence, self-care behaviors and diabetes knowledge with other co-variates. The mean Diabetes Empowerment score was 3.62 (SD = 0.31). The mean age of the participants was 56.68 (SD = 11.76). 53.88% were females, 80.71% were married, 77.56% were obese, and 66.30% were upper-middle class with average diabetes duration of 11.7 years (SD = 7.89). HbA1c values were ≥ 7 in 63.41% of study participants. Diabetes Empowerment was significantly associated with medication adherence (P = 0.001), general diet (P < 0.001), special diet (P = 0.011), smoking status (P = 0.001), and socioeconomic status (upper lower, P = 0.085). A comprehensive strategy for the treatment of type II diabetes is essential to enhance clinical results, improve patient quality of life, and prevent diabetes-related comorbidities. People with type II diabetes should be encouraged to embrace an empowerment-based approach by healthcare providers. It is critical to do research that promotes empowerment.

Effectiveness of Community Pharmacy Diabetes and Hypertension Care Program: An Unexplored Opportunity for Community Pharmacists in Pakistan

Background: The effective management of patients diagnosed with both Diabetes as well as Hypertension is linked with administration of efficacious pharmacological therapy as well as improvement in adherence through counseling and other strategies. Being a part of primary healthcare team, community pharmacists can effectively provide patient care for chronic disease management. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacist counseling on blood pressure and blood glucose control among patients having both hypertension and diabetes attending community pharmacies in Pakistan. Method: A randomized, controlled, single-blind, pre-post-intervention study design was used. The respondents included patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (Type I or II) and hypertension visiting community pharmacies to purchase their regular medicine. A simple random sampling technique using the lottery method was used to select community pharmacies in groups A (intervention, n = 4) and group B (control, n = 4). The total number of patients was 40 in each group, while estimating a dropout rate of 25%. The patients in the intervention group received special counseling. Blood pressure and blood glucose were checked after every 15 days for 6 months. Prevalidated tools such as the hypertension knowledge level scale, the diabetes knowledge questionnaire 24, and a brief medication questionnaire was used. Data were coded and analyzed using SPSS 21. Wilcoxon test (p < 0.05) was used to compare pre-post intervention knowledge regarding the disease, while the Mann-Whitney test (p < 0.05) was used to find differences in medication adherence among control and intervention groups. Results: A significant improvement in mean knowledge scores of patients with diabetes (16.02 ±2.93 vs. 19.97 ±2.66) and hypertension (15.60 ±3.33 vs. 18.35 ±2.31) in the intervention group receiving counseling for 6 months than control group (p < 0.05) was noted. Furthermore, the fasting blood glucose levels (8.25 ±1.45) and systolic BP (130.10 ±6.89) were significantly controlled after 6 months in the intervention group. Conclusion: The current study results concluded that community pharmacists' counselling has a positive impact on blood glucose and blood pressure management among patients suffering with both diabetes and hypertension.

Impact of Pharmacist-Led Diabetes Self-Care Education on Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Pakistan: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: There is a little evidence on efficacy of pharmacy-based interventions on clinical outcomes of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Pakistan.

Objective: To appraise the impact of pharmacist-led self-care education on glycemic control, self-care practices and disease knowledge of T2DM patients with poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7%).

Methods: In this 6-months, randomized controlled trial (RCT), n = 75, T2DM patients seeking care at a diabetes clinic were randomized in to two groups. Intervention group (n = 38) received two face-to-face educational sessions (at enrollment and on week 12), whereas control group (n = 37) received usual care. Outcome measures such as glycemic control, self-care practices and disease knowledge were assessed at the time of enrollment and after 6-months in both groups.

Results: Thirty-three intervention and thirty-three participants from the control group completed the study. Mean glycated hemoglobin (% HbA1c) significantly reduced in the intervention group from 9.00 ± 1.43 to 8.09 ± 1.16 (p < .01). However, no significant change was observed in the control group (9.20 ± 1.24 to 8.93 ± .97; p = .06). Cohen’s d effect size of the intervention on HbA1c was .78. Percentage of participants achieving glycemic control (HbA1c < 7%) were significantly higher (p < .05) in the intervention group as compared to the control group (twenty-four vs. six), after 6 months of the trial. A significant (p < .01) improvement in mean scores for disease knowledge and self-care activities was also observed in the intervention group participants, whereas no significant improvements (p > .05) were observed in the control group.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated an improvement in glycemic control, disease knowledge and self-care activities of T2DM patients who received pharmacist-led educational intervention. The study findings support clinical significance of integrating pharmacy-based interventions in diabetes management.

Validation of Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ) in the Taiwanese Population - Concurrent Validity with Diabetes-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire Module

PURPOSE

Diabetes knowledge is important for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) to improve their health. Therefore, it is important to validate an instrument for assessing diabetes knowledge. The present study aimed to validate the 24-item Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The 24-item DKQ and Diabetes-specific Quality of Life Module (DMQoL) were administered to 425 patients (mean±SD age=58.4±11.6) with type 2 DM.

RESULTS

The 24-item DKQ was first examined for its factor structure using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Items with low factors loadings were removed and 18 items were retained to make a DKQ-18. In DKQ-18, five factors were identified, which were named as diabetes etiology and symptoms (F1), intermediate nursing (F2), complications (F3), diet and treatment (F4), and elementary nursing (F5). The DKQ-18 had satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's α= 0.732 and McDonald's ω=0.748), good known-group validity (participants with a higher level of education showed better score in DKQ-18; participants with HbA1c ≤7 had better score in DKQ-18 compared to group of HbA1c level >8.5), acceptable test-retest reliability (r=0.69), adequate responsiveness (DKQ-18 can detect knowledge change), and concurrent validity with DMQoL.

CONCLUSION

The DKQ-18 is a valid measure for assessing diabetes knowledge. The DKQ-18 could evaluate participants' diabetes knowledge and improve their diabetes knowledge and self-care through a diabetes team and serve as a tool to evaluate the knowledge of participants with type 2 DM.

The dietary knowledge measurement instruments in diabetes: A systematic psychometric review

AIMS

To identify, critically appraise, and summarize instruments to measure dietary knowledge in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2.

DESIGN

Psychometric systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

A comprehensive search was carried out during March 2020 in the followed databases: Medline, Web of Science, Open Grey, Cochrane Library, COSMIN database, and Scielo.

REVIEW METHODS

In accordance with the most up-to-date COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments methodology (COSMIN) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statements. A systematic review of the measurement properties of the instruments that assess the level of dietary knowledge in the diabetic population was carried out. The COSMIN checklist was used to assess the measurement properties of existing patient-reported outcome measures to select the most appropriate outcome measurement instrument. The protocol of this systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42020186516).

RESULTS

Nine instruments were identified. The Michigan Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT) was the questionnaire included in the largest volume of studies. The Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ) was the questionnaire with the most evaluated psychometric characteristics. The Personal Diabetes Questionnaire (PDQ) was the second with the highest number of psychometric characteristics evaluated and with a better score regarding the quality of the evidence.

CONCLUSION

According to the quality methodological results; DKT, DKQ and PDQ are the recommended instruments to assess dietary knowledge in people with diabetes types 1 and 2.

IMPACT STATEMENT

What problem did the study address? One of the main factors that lead to greater difficulty for patients with diabetes mellitus is dietary management, and it is necessary to evaluate whether the patient has sufficient knowledge about dietetics to practice a healthy diet. What were the main findings? Nine instruments were identified that were specifically designed to assess dietary knowledge in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 1 or 2. Michigan Diabetes Knowledge Test, Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire, and Personal Diabetes Questionnaire are the recommended instruments to assess dietary knowledge in people with diabetes. Where and on whom will the research have impact? The evaluation of this construct is very useful both in clinical practice; at hospital, community and primary care levels, in patients with type 1 and / or 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), as in research.

Association between Diabetes Knowledge and Self-Efficacy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the association between DM knowledge and self-efficacy in Chinese patients with T2DM. The influence factors for DM knowledge were explored, and evidence on interventions was provided to patients for information.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in various hospitals in Hunan Province, China, from April 2017 to February 2019, by using multistage stratified randomized sampling. DM knowledge and self-efficacy were measured using the Audit of Diabetes Knowledge (ADKnowl) and the General Self-efficacy (GSE) Scale. The relationship between the ADKnowl and the GSE scores was analyzed using the Spearman correlation analysis. Differences in the ADKnowl and GES scores among groups with different sociodemographic characteristics were computed; significant variables and GES scores were input in the multiple stepwise linear regression model to predict the influencing factors of ADKnowl scores.

RESULTS

A total of 1,512 eligible patients with T2DM were included in this study, and their mean ADKnowl score was 59.04 ± 16.24. The top score of the eight dimensions in the ADKnowl scale was reducing the complication risk by 71.01%. The mean GSE score was 2.42 ± 0.59. The Spearman correlation analysis showed that the GSE score displayed a significantly positive correlation with DM knowledge at the ADKnowl scale (r = 0.172, P < 0.001). The best fit multivariable linear regression analysis revealed eight variables that explained 37.6% of the variance of ADKnowl scores. They were diabetes-learning experience, educational background, complication, therapy, waist-to-hip ratio, diabetes duration, marital status, and GSE (R ² = 0.376, F = 5.971, P=0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

In Chinese patients with T2DM, the self-efficacy in managing DM positively influenced DM knowledge. DM knowledge, as a protective factor, conversely improved the efficiency of self-management for T2DM. Some ignored influence factors in previous studies can be showed by investigating and analyzing from two scales. Health educators and promoters should help in developing DM knowledge and self-efficacy.

Validation of a diabetes knowledge test for Indian children, adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes knowledge has a large impact on glycemic control. There is a pressing need for creation of validated tests of knowledge for different ethnic groups.

OBJECTIVE

To create and validate a diabetes knowledge test (DKT) for young Indians with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

METHODS

We created a 34 item Hindi language DKT, with basic (19-questions) and advanced (15-questions) components. It was administered to 77 consecutive patients who had previously received in-hospital diabetes education. We hypothesized that the test scores would be higher for patients residing in urban regions, for patients with higher maternal education, and those with lower HbA1c. Cronbach's alpha (α) was used to calculate the test reliability.

RESULTS

The DKT score was significantly higher in families with higher (>class 12th) maternal formal education compared with lower [70.0 (95% C.I. 67.2-73.5) vs 54.2 (95% C.I. 44.0-57.3), p<0.001] and urban residence compared with rural [68.5 (95% C.I. 63.4-70.6) vs 54.5 (95% C.I. 42.5-61.7), p<0.001]. It had negative correlation with HbA1c (r=-0.268, p=0.019). The Cronbach's α was 0.87 for the entire test, and for the basic and advanced components was 0.78 and 0.74 respectively.

CONCLUSION

The DKT India is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate diabetes knowledge in Hindi speaking Indian children, adolescents and young adults with T1DM.

Impact of multidisciplinary foot care team on outcome of diabetic foot ulcer in term of lower extremity amputation at a tertiary care unit in Karachi, Pakistan

To compare the outcomes of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) in terms of healing and lower extremity amputation (LEA) rate before and after training of multidisciplinary foot care team (MDFCT). Subjects were categorised into two groups; Group-A cases seen between 1997 and 2006 (before upgrading of training and services of MDFCT) and Group-B cases seen between 2007 and 2016 (after upgrading of training and services of MDFCT). Baseline demographic characteristics, biochemical results, and outcomes of DFU in terms of healing or amputation were analysed by using statistical package social science (SPSS) version 20. Total 7994 DFU cases seen, 888 in group A and 7106 in group B. Mean age of patients was 53.80 ± 10.40 years and mean haemoglobin (HbA1c) was 10.12 ± 2.44. Overall, decreasing trends of amputations were observed from baseline 27.5% to 3.92% during the period of 20 years. In group A, 479 (78.8%) subjects healed completely compared with 3806 (89.1%) in group B. Significant reduction in toe amputations ([13.81%] vs [8.11%]) and below knee amputations [(5.26%) vs (1.82%)] were seen. Similarly, rates of above knee amputation ([1.80%] vs [0.35%] P-value 0.008) in two groups was also significant. Significant improvement was observed in outcomes of DFU in terms of amputation through multidisciplinary team approach.

Association of diabetes knowledge with glycemic control and self-care practices among Pakistani people with type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the relationship of disease knowledge with glycemic control and self-care practices in adult Pakistani people diabetes (PWD).

METHODS

People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (n=218) were selected from three health care centers, located in different cities of Pakistan. Disease knowledge and self-care practices were assessed by Urdu versions of Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ) and Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ), using a cross-sectional design. Chi-square and correlation analysis were applied to explore the relationship of disease knowledge with glycemic control and self-care practices. Linear regression was used to explore the predictors for disease knowledge.

RESULTS

Majority of the sample was >45-60 years old (48.8%), suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus for <5 years (49.5%) and had poor glycemic control (HbA1C≥7%; n=181 participants). Disease knowledge was significantly associated (p<0.05) with patient's gender, level of education, family history of diabetes, nature of euglycemic therapy, and glycemic control. Correlation matrix showed strongly inverse correlations of DKQ with glycated hemoglobin levels (r=-0.62; p<0.001) and strongly positive with DSMQ sum scale (r=0.63; p<0.001). PWD having university-level education (β=0.22; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.189, 0.872; p<0.01), doing job (β=0.22; 95% CI 0.009, 0.908]; p=0.046), and use of oral hypoglycemic agents in combination with insulin (β=-0.16; 95% CI [-1.224, -0.071]; p=0.028) were the significant predictors for disease knowledge.

CONCLUSION

Disease knowledge significantly correlated with glycated hemoglobin levels and self-care activities of PWD. These findings will help in designing patient-tailored diabetes educational interventions for yielding a higher probability of achieving target glycemic control.

A randomized controlled study to evaluate the effect of pharmacist-led educational intervention on glycemic control, self-care activities and disease knowledge among type 2 diabetes patients: A consort compliant study protocol

BACKGROUND

Diabetes self-care activities, like, healthy diet, regular exercise, self-monitoring of blood glucose, and rational use of medicines are considered to play a vital role in establishing euglycemia. Health literacy among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Pakistan is very low, which is the most likely cause for poor clinical outcomes. This study is designed to investigate the impact of pharmacist-led educational intervention on glycemic control, self-care activities and disease knowledge among T2DM patients in Pakistan.

METHODS

In this randomized controlled trail, effectiveness of a 6-month pharmacist-led educational intervention will be examined on glycemic control, diabetes self-care activities and disease knowledge of 80 adult T2DM patients (age >30 years) with poorly controlled T2DM (HbA1c> 7%), after randomizing them into intervention and control groups, at diabetes care clinic of Capital Hospital Islamabad, Pakistan.

RESULTS

The primary outcome is change in patients' HbA1c, whereas, changes in self-care activities and patients' disease knowledge are the secondary outcomes. After baseline assessment of their self-care activities and disease knowledge by using validated Urdu versions of Diabetes Self-management Questionnaire (DSMQ) and Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ), respectively, interventional group patients will be supplemented with a face-to-face pharmacist-led educational intervention, whereas, the control group will receive usual care. Intervention arm patients will be educated successively at their first follow-up visit (12th week) and telephonically after every 4 weeks. All assessments will be made at baseline and end of trail for both intervention and control groups. Multivariate general linear model will be applied to analyze the effects of the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Glycemic control in T2DM patients requires optimum self-care activities. This study is an attempt to improve self-care behaviors among poorly controlled T2DM patients who are at higher risk of diabetes-associated late complications.

Association of diabetes-related self-care activities with glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes in Pakistan

OBJECTIVE

Association of various self-care activities on glycemic control of people with diabetes (PWD) in Pakistan is yet to be explored. The current study aimed to evaluate the association of various diabetes-related self-care activities with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and to examine the predictive relationship of patients' demographic variables with their self-care activities.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on adult PWD (N=218) who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus of at least 1 year duration. Self-care activities were examined by using the Urdu version of Diabetes Self-management Questionnaire. Linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the significant predictors for diabetes-related self-care activities and glycemic control.

RESULTS

Mean age of the patients was 50.77±13.3 years. Poor glycemic control (HbA1c $7%) was observed in majority of the patients (83%). Linear regression analysis revealed that glucose management (β=-0.44; 95% CI -0.438, -0.209; P<0.001) was the strongest predictor for low levels of patients' HbA1c, followed by dietary control (β=-0.19; 95% CI -0.248, -0.018; P=0.024) and physical activity (β=-0.17; 95% CI -0.165, -0.023; P=0.010), respectively. Linear regression analysis showed that use of oral hypoglycemic agents only (β=-0.218; 95% CI -0.956, -0.200; P=0.003) and higher education level (β=0.204; 95% CI 0.138, 0.777; P=0.005) were significant predictors for higher scores of patients' self-care activities.

CONCLUSION

The findings support that PWD having better self-reported self-care activities achieve better glycemic control. Patients' self-care activities should be monitored on a regular basis, especially for those who are at risk of poor glycemic control.