Glycemic Control and Its Relationship with Diabetes Self-Care Behaviors Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Northern Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Knowledge level and health information-seeking behavior of people with diabetes in rural areas: a multicenter cross-sectional study

Introduction

There is a lack of research on the current level of diabetes knowledge and health information-seeking behaviors among patients with diabetes in rural areas of China's economically underdeveloped regions during COVID-19, as well as a lack of up-to-date evidence on glycemic control and the incidence of complications among rural patients with diabetes.

Objectives

To investigate the prevalence of glycemic control and complications among patients with diabetes in rural areas, to explore the current status and correlation of diabetes knowledge level and health information-seeking behavior, and to analyze the factors affecting diabetes knowledge level.

Methods

From January 2022 to July 2022, we conducted a screening on diabetic complications and a questionnaire survey among 2,178 patients with diabetes in 15 county hospitals in rural areas of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The patients' knowledge level and health information-seeking behavior were investigated. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between diabetes knowledge and health information-seeking behavior. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to test how demographic information and health information-seeking behavior influenced the level of diabetes knowledge.

Results

Of 2,178 patients with diabetes in rural areas, 1,684 (77.32%) had poor glycemic control, and the prevalence of diabetic complications was estimated to be 72.13%. Patients with diabetes had poor diabetes knowledge and health information-seeking behavior, and there is a strong positive correlation between them. Diabetes knowledge level was influenced by per capita household disposable income, occupational status, gender, age, ethnicity, family history of diabetes, insulin use, glycated hemoglobin, education level, number of complications and health information-seeking behavior.

Conclusion

Patients with diabetes in rural areas have poor glycemic control and a high incidence of diabetic complications. Patients with diabetes in rural areas have poor knowledge and inadequate health information-seeking behavior. Systematic and standardized education should be provided to improve patients' diabetes knowledge and thus improve their self-management ability.

Evaluation of Self-Management Behaviors and Its Correlation with the Metabolic Syndrome among the Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients of Northern Saudi Arabia

Self-management behavior among diabetes patients is essential to monitor blood sugar levels, make necessary lifestyle changes, and help patients reduce their risk of complications from diabetes. We assessed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its association with self-management behavior and sociodemographic characteristics among 310 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attending different diabetes care centers in northern Saudi Arabia. We evaluated the self-management behaviors of patients with T2DM using a validated Arabic version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Scale. Regarding MS, we applied the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Plan-3 (ATP-3) guidelines. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of MS. We found that more than one-third (36.5%) of patients had MS according to the NCEP ATP-3 criteria. The prevalence of MS was significantly associated with unsatisfactory self-management behaviors. Regarding sociodemographic predictors for MS, we found a significant association between gender (ref: female: Adjusted OR (AOR) = 1.89, 95%CI = 1.17-2.95, p = 0.007) and body mass index (ref.: normal range: AOR = 2.98, 95%CI = 1.31-5.07, p = 0.003). Our findings suggest a tailor-made multifaceted intervention to improve the self-management behaviors of T2DM patients, which, in turn, can reduce MS.

Prevalence and the association between clinical factors and Diabetes-Related Distress (DRD) with poor glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A Northern Thai cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Glycemic control is important to prevent diabetic complications. However, evidence linking factors such as diabetes-related distress (DRD) to poor glycemic outcomes is lacking in Thailand. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of poor glycemic control type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 127 type 2 diabetic patients between December 2021 and March 2022 at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand. Data collection included demographic data, clinical data (duration of being type 2 diabetes, diabetic treatment modalities, weight, height, blood pressure, FBS, and HbA1c), behavioral data (self-care behavior, physical activity, dietary assessment, smoking, alcohol consumption, and sleep quality), and psycho-social data (depression and DRD). Poor glycemic control was defined as not achieving the target HbA1c based on the 2021 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Guideline. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the associations between potential factors including DRD, and poor glycemic control.

RESULTS

The prevalence of poor glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes was 29.1%. Our analysis revealed that age under 65 years old (OR 6.40, 95% CI 2.07-19.77, p = 0.001), obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.05-8.39, p = 0.041), and DRD (OR 14.20, 95% CI 3.76-53.64, p<0.001) were significantly associated with poor glycemic control. Three dimensions of DRD were associated with poor glycemic control, including emotional distress (OR 4.23, 95% CI 1.51-11.85, p = 0.006), regimen-related distress (OR 6.00, 95% CI 1.88-19.18, p = 0.003), and interpersonal distress (OR 5.25, 95% CI 1.39-20.02, p = 0.015).

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Age, obesity, and DRD are associated with poor glycemic control. A holistic approach that includes addressing DRD is crucial for improving glycemic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Further studies in broader populations using a cohort design are recommended.

Predictors of self-care behaviors and glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aims

This study used the Extended Theory of Reasoned Action (ETRA) to predict self-care behaviors and HbA1c among patients with type 2 diabetes in Iran.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was performed using a multistage random sample. A total of 240 patients with type 2 diabetes, who were referred to the diabetes healthcare centers in Chaldoran, participated in the research. Instruments consisting of standardized questionnaires were used based on the Extended Theory of Reasoned Action (ETRA) constructs and the summary scale of diabetes self-care behaviors measure.

Findings

The results of this study demonstrated that demographic variables explained ~ 7% (p-value = 0.23) and ETRA constructs 18% of the variance (p-value = 0.02) in behavioral intention, respectively. According to the hierarchical multiple linear regressions on self-care behaviors, demographic factors (p-value 0.001) dictated 45.7% of the variation of the self-care behavior, while knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and behavioral intention (p-value 0.001) accounted for 63.4% of the variance. The ETRA constructs, self-care practices, and demographic factors together account for almost 57% of the variation in the HbA1c. Self-care practices were the best indicator of HbA1c (β = -0.593).

Conclusion

ETRA constructs and self-care behavior can be the best determinants of HbA1c level in type 2 diabetes. This model is suggested to be applied in designing intervention programs to improve HbA1c in these groups of patients.

Association Between Depression, Diabetes Self-Care Activity and Glycemic Control in an Arab Population with Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE

Poor self-care behavior and depression are associated with worse glycemic control, but the relationship between these variables is poorly reported. The present study aimed to describe self-care behaviors and explore the association between depression, self-care and glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes in an Arab population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study recruited 446 patients with type-2 diabetes from an outpatient clinic in Kuwait and completed assessments of diabetes self-care using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) questionnaire and depression using the Patients Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scales. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine the associations between depression, self-care behaviors and glycemic control.

RESULTS

Self-care behaviors were highest for medication taking (92.9%), an average for foot care (61.4%), blood glucose testing (60%) and healthy diet (55.7%), and lowest for exercise (27.1%). Depression, poor self-care activities and poor HbA1c levels were inter-correlated in univariate analysis (p< 0.03). In regression analysis, following healthful eating (B= -0.27, p< 0.001), general eating plan (B= -0.21, p= 0.01), more space carbohydrates evenly throughout the day (B= - 0.17, p= 0.03) and exercise at least 30 minutes (B= -0.17, p= 0.02) behaviors were associated with better HbA1c levels. However, depression was associated with poor scores of following a general eating plan (B= -0.20, p= 0.03), space carbohydrates evenly throughout the day (B= -0.21, p= 0.05), and exercising at least 30 minutes (B= -0.24, p= 0.03) behaviors. Depression scores were also associated with poor HbA1c levels (B= 0.32, p= 0.03). However, this association no longer persists after mutual adjustment with following a healthy diet (B= 0.14, p= 0.38) and exercise (B = 0.26, p = 0.08) behaviors.

CONCLUSION

Self-care activity was less than fifty percent in people with type 2 diabetes and higher activity was associated with better glycemic control. However, depression adversely affects self-care behaviors. To maintain and achieve glycemic control, diabetes educators might motivate people with type 2 diabetes to enhance their self-care activities, particularly those with depression symptoms and poor compliance with self-care activities.

Effect of Insulin Injection Techniques on Glycemic Control Among Patients with Diabetes

Objective

Previous studies have shown that healthcare professionals rarely instruct patients about proper insulin injection techniques. This study aimed to assess the practices of insulin injection techniques among patients with diabetes treated and assess the effect of these practices on glycemic control.

Patients and Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2020 and February 2021. A random systematic sampling technique was used to recruit study subjects at specialist outpatient clinics. Subjects with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus who had been using insulin injections for at least a year were included in this study.

Results

A total of 298 subjects with type 1 diabetes and 553 with type 2 diabetes participated in this study. The mean age of patients with type 1 diabetes was 20.1 ± 10.4 years. The mean age of patients with type 2 diabetes was 58.6 ± 9.5 years. The median type 1 diabetes duration was 6.0 years, and median type 2 diabetes duration was 15.0 years. About 66.8% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 69.4% of patients with type 2 diabetes were rotating insulin injection sites. Almost 36.6% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 50.5% of patients with type 2 diabetes reported using the same insulin needle more than three times. The prevalence of lipohypertrophy was 57.0% among patients with type 1 diabetes and 55.5% among patients with type 2 diabetes. The absence of lipohypertrophy, rotation of insulin injection site, and total daily insulin dose ≤50 units were all independently significantly associated with better glycemic control.

Conclusion

Insulin injection techniques were suboptimal among significant proportion of patients with diabetes in Jordan. Improper insulin injection technique, especially the rotation of injection sites and lipohypertrophy formation, was associated with uncontrolled blood glucose levels. Educational interventions that focus on insulin injection techniques among Jordanian patients with diabetes are strongly recommended.

Undertaking Healthy Nutrition Behaviors by Patients with Type 1 Diabetes as an Important Element of Self-Care

BACKGROUND

Self-control/self-care means the active participation of a diabetic patient in therapy. It involves making numerous decisions and undertaking actions independently. The primary activities under the patient's control include adherence to medication regimens and maintenance of a health-promoting lifestyle, especially a healthy diet. However, the sense of responsibility for one's own health, i.e., high sense of responsibility (HSR), is an important element in the treatment of diabetes and in undertaking pro-health behaviors. The study aimed at analyzing adherence to dietary recommendations in the context of HSR in patients with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of 394 adults. The assessment of adherence to dietary recommendations was performed with the present authors' Diabetes Dietary Guidelines Adherence Index (DDGA Index). The measurement of HSR was performed with the standardized Sense of Responsibility for Health Scale (HSRS). The assessment of the multifactorial influence of independent variables on the DDGA Index, including the "responsibility for health" variable, was conducted with the use of a linear regression model.

RESULTS

The mean DDGA value was 18.68 (SD = 3.97). The patients significantly more often avoided unhealthy products than included recommended products into the diet at a required frequency. A positive correlation was demonstrated between HSR and adherence to dietary recommendations (β_std. = 0.43, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The sense of responsibility for one's health plays a main role in adherence to dietary recommendations in diabetes. Our study showed that a higher sense of responsibility for health was associated with a higher level of adherence to dietary recommendations. Patients with a high sense of responsibility for one's health will be more involved in the therapeutic process, including adherence to dietary recommendations. Therefore, all education actions should comprise not only dietary knowledge transfer and shaping appropriate skills, but they should also strengthen the sense of responsibility for one's health.

Changes in self-care behaviors of Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes using insulin pens during COVID-19 pandemic

Aims

The COVID-19 pandemic as a serious public health concern has been accompanied with changes and restrictions in everyday life. This can affect directly or indirectly health behaviors and disease management, particularly in developing countries with low resources. This study aimed to compare self-care behaviors of patients with type 2 diabetes using insulin pens before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study involving 300 patients with type 2 diabetes who had been referred to a referral tertiary care diabetes clinic during 2018–2019. The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Assessment (SDSCA) questionnaire was used for the evaluation of 5 self-care activities.

Results

The mean total self-care score before and one year after the onset of the COVID-19 crisis was 37.63 (SD, 10.89) and 26.14 (SD, 10.99), respectively. Before the COVID-19 crisis, 27%, 54.3%, and 18.7% of patients had poor, moderate, and good self-care, respectively. One year after the onset of the epidemic, however, these rates were 66.3%, 29%, and 4.7%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the mean score of 5 indices of self-care behaviors before and after the COVID-19 crisis (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest the deterioration of self-care behaviors amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in an Iranian population. Continuous follow-up of patients with diabetes and the design of effective educational programs for these patient can prevent or delay the long-term consequences of diabetes, especially in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.

Poor Self-Care Practices and Being Urban Resident Strongly Predict Chronic Complications Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Eastern Ethiopia: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Diabetes, together with its complications, has a considerable negative influence on people's quality of life and healthcare delivery and raises diabetic mortality. However, there is limited information about the diabetes-associated chronic complications in the study setting. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the burden and factors related to the chronic complications among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Eastern Ethiopia.

METHODS

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 879 patients with T2D at two public hospitals in Harar. The data were collected through interviews using a structured questionnaire. Data related to the diagnosis of chronic complications and biochemical tests were extracted from medical records. The outcome variable was the number of chronic complications that happened to the patients. A generalized Poisson regression model with robust variance estimation was used to investigate the association of independent variables with chronic complications. An adjusted prevalence ratio with a 95% CI was reported to show an association using a p-value ≤0.05.

RESULTS

One or more chronic complications were presented in 43% of T2D (95% CI: 39.65, 46.19). Macrovascular and microvascular complications were found in 27.6% and 23.5% of patients, respectively. Urban residence (APR = 2.64; 95% CI: 1.54, 4.54), low wealth status (APR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.17, 2.76), diabetes duration ≥5 years (APR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.01), hypertriglyceridemia (APR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.09) and poor self-care practices (APR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.23) were factors significantly associated with the chronic complications.

CONCLUSION

The burden of chronic complications was high, with nearly half of T2D patients experiencing one or more chronic complications. Almost one in ten patients suffered from multiple chronic complications. The complications were mainly influenced by being urban resident, low wealth status, and poor self-care practices. Therefore, health care providers need to educate patients and promote self-care practices and healthy lifestyles to achieve treatment goals and lower the risk of chronic complications.