Patient knowledge about diabetes: Illness symptoms, complications and preventive personal lifestyle factors

Knowledge about type 2 diabetes: its impact for future management

Diabetes can cause several long-term complications. Knowledge about this disease can play an important role in reducing diabetes-related complications. In addition, the lack of awareness leads to misconceptions, which joined with inadequate knowledge, are relevant barriers to proper diabetes management. In this study, we aimed to assess the diabetes knowledge of a type 2 diabetes (T2D) population and identify major knowledge gaps, in order to prevent complications and to increase quality of life. In a cross-sectional, observational study in a convenience sample, we identified individuals diagnosed with T2D attending ambulatory visits from five health settings, older than 18 years, with a time diagnosis of at least 1 year, and attending multidisciplinary visits for at least 3 months. To assess the knowledge of T2D individuals, we applied the Portuguese version of the Diabetes Knowledge Test. The sample included a total of 1,200 persons, of whom almost half were female. The age range of the participants varied from 24 to 94 years old, and the mean age was 65.6 ± 11.4 years. Most of the sample had a level of education under secondary and lived with someone. In our sample, 479 (39.9%) were insulin-treated. The percentage of correct answers was 51.8% for non-insulin vs. 58.7% for insulin treated (p < 0.05). There were three items with a percentage of correct answers lower than 15%; the item with the lower value of correct answers was the one related to the identification of signs of ketoacidosis with only 4.4% of correct answers, the errors presented a random pattern; the item related to the identification of which food should not be used to treat low blood glucose with 11.9%, where 56.9% of the sample's participants considered that one cup of skim milk would be the correct answer (53.1% in non-insulin patients and 62.6% in insulin treated patients; p < 0.001). The item regarding the knowledge of free food presented a 13.3% of correct answers (10.8% non-insulin group vs. 17.1% insulin group; p < 0.01). Two of the three items with lower value of correct answers were related to glycemic control and health status monitoring, the other was related to diet and food.

Patients' Perspectives on Type 2 Diabetes, Vitamin B12 Deficiency, and Supplementation in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia

Objectives Long-term metformin is associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. There is a significant misunderstanding among both physicians and patients regarding vitamin B12 indications. This study aims to identify knowledge gaps and attitudes toward vitamin B12 among diabetic patients. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among type 2 diabetic patients visiting four primary healthcare centers in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia. The data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Data were collected on diabetes and vitamin B12 knowledge and attitude toward vitamin B12 supplementation. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the predictors of knowledge and attitude. Results Of the 388 participants, 192 (49.5%) were male. About 84.5% of the total diabetics were on metformin. Nearly three-fourths (72.7%) were taking vitamin B12. A large proportion, 160 (41.2%), believed that it is necessary to take vitamin B12 for every diabetic patient. Nearly half, 193 (49.7%), did not know the factors affecting vitamin B12 deficiency. Young (less than 39 years) diabetics were more likely to perceive that vitamin B12 is recommended for all diabetics, OR (95% CI) [6.26 (1.86-21.06)], as compared to participants aged more than 59. Similarly, younger patients were more likely to assume vitamin B12 necessary, OR (95% CI) [3.71 (1.26-10.89)]. Conclusion We found the knowledge and attitude of diabetic patients regarding vitamin B12 to be poor. It is, therefore, recommended that primary health care providers educate their patients about vitamin B12 supplementation to reduce the number of medications and financial burden. Further large-scale studies are also needed to generate stronger evidence of the problem.

A hospital-based assessment of glycemic control and medication adherence in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Eastern Nepal

Background

Poor glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) causes damage to various organs and leads to the development of disabling and life-threatening complications.

Objectives

To find out the prevalence of glycemic control and medication adherence (MA) and the factors affecting them.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with T2DM. The patients were categorized as good glycemic control (HbA1c <7.0%) and poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥7.0%). MA was categorized as low (score <6), medium (score 6 or 7), and high (score 8). The Statistical Package for Social Science (version 11.5) was used for statistical analysis at a P value less than 0.05.

Results

Of 129 patients, 65 (50.39%) were females. The mean age was 48.33 ± 12.86 years. The combination of metformin and glimepiride was prescribed to 37 (28.68%) patients. Diabetic knowledge was poor in 84 (65.12%) patients. Glycemic control was good in 108 (83.72%) patients. MA was medium in 72 (55.81%) patients. Patients taking regular fruit, having shorter duration of drug therapy, and having good diabetic knowledge had good glycemic control and were statistically significant (P value < 0.05). Patients having family support, nonalcoholic, taking regular fruit, being involved in daily jogging, having shorter duration of drug therapy, and having good diabetic knowledge had high MA and were statistically significant (P value < 0.05).

Conclusion

The majority of the diabetic patients had good glycemic control and medium MA. Patients taking regular fruit, being involved in daily jogging, having a shorter duration of drug therapy, and having good diabetic knowledge were identified as factors that affect both glycemic control and MA.

Patient's Perception of Diabetes Care Services in Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Globally, 643 million people will be affected by 2030, and 783 million by 2045 with diabetes mellitus (DM), a severe disease that affects 537 million people worldwide in 2021. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has the highest prevalence of diabetes mellitus among the top ten countries worldwide. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the factors influencing diabetes care and assess their relative importance. Research was conducted in the Hail region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study recruited 258 diabetes patients visiting the Primary Health Centers in Hail City as part of their routine healthcare. Analyzing the data was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS-22). As far as Cronbach's Alpha is concerned, it was 0.717, and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) was 0.705. The study has found that the six factors including accessibility of diabetes care (p = .024), availability of diabetes services (p = .029), quality of diabetes care (p = .024), disease management strategies (p = .037), basic amenities of health system (p = .028) and health education resources (p = .030) play a significant role in providing diabetes care services to patients. According to the adjusted R2 of 0.773 (p 0.001), diabetes care is significantly influenced by these six variables. The comparative importance of the factors indicates that, out of six, quality of diabetes care is the most influential; the availability of diabetes services and health education resources are the second and third most influential factors. In order to provide better care for diabetic patients, healthcare organizations should focus on these factors.