Factors influencing diabetes self-management in adults: an umbrella review of systematic reviews

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review was to identify and describe the factors influencing diabetes self-management in adults by summarizing the available evidence concerning their types, categories, and relative importance.

INTRODUCTION

A wide range of factors, acting simultaneously, influence diabetes self-management and interfere with its actual application by patients. There is a variety of systematic reviews of these factors; however, a more thorough examination of their influences was lacking.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Systematic reviews of qualitative or quantitative literature focusing on factors influencing adult diabetes self-management in general or on individual behaviors (ie, management of oral antidiabetic medication and insulin injections, self-monitoring of blood glucose, foot care, healthy eating, regular exercise, and smoking cessation) will be included.

METHODS

We performed an extensive search of 11 bibliographic databases, including gray literature, up to June 2019. Quantitative and qualitative findings were summarized separately and labeled according to their types (eg, facilitator/barrier, strength and direction of association), categories (eg, demographic, social), and frequency of occurrence.

RESULTS

We identified 51 types of factors within 114 systematic reviews, which mostly addressed medication-taking behavior. Thirty-two (62.7%) factors were reported in both qualitative and quantitative literature. The predominant influences were psychological factors and behavioral attributes/skills factors. The most frequently reported facilitators of diabetes self-management were motivation to diabetes self-management, a favorable attitude to diabetes self-management, knowledge about the disease, medication and behaviors associated with diabetes self-management, skills, and self-efficacy/perceived behavioral control. The predominant barriers were the presence of depression, and polypharmacy or drug regimen complexity. The demographic factor of female sex was frequently reported for its negative influence on diabetes self-management, whereas older age was a positive factor. The social/cultural and physical environment were the least-studied categories. Other factors such as social support from family, friends, or networks; interventions led by health professionals; and a strong community environment with good social services favoring diabetes self-management were reported as major facilitators of diabetes self-management.

CONCLUSIONS

Essential components of interventions to promote effective diabetes self-management should aim to help adults manage the effects of specific factors related to their psychological and practical self-management experience. Screening for depression, in particular, should become an integral part of the support for adult diabetes self-management, as depression is a particular obstacle to the effectiveness of diabetes self-management. Future studies should more deeply examine the influence of factors identified in the sociocultural and physical environment categories. Research should properly consider and invest efforts in strengthening social support and innovative community care approaches, including pharmacist- and nurse-led care models for encouraging and improving adult diabetes self-management. Finally, researchers should examine non-modifiable factors - age, sex, or socioeconomic status - in the light of factors from other categories in order to deepen understanding of their real-world patterns of action on adult diabetes self-management.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42018084665.

Coconstruction d’une intervention infirmière centrée sur la personne pour soutenir l’autogestion des individus vivant avec le diabète de type 2

Introduction : People living with type 2 diabetes are brought to make demanding behavioral changes that can lead to self-management difficulties.Background : The guidelines recommend that healthcare professionals follow a person-centered approach (PCA) when caring. However, this approach seems difficult to adopt in practice.Objective : Coconstruct an intervention inspired by the concept map (CM) to promote the adoption of PCA by nurses during self-management support encounters.Method : This study is based on a model for developing evidence-based nursing interventions. Five experts (2 patients, 2 nurses, 1 educational specialist) collaborated in the coconstruction of the intervention.Results : The Person-Centered Approach Diabetes Self-Management Support (PCA-DSMS) intervention has been developed in accordance with the foundations of a PCA and the CM. It includes four steps : 1) Introduce the intervention ; 2) Develop the Needs Map ; 3) Intervene according to priority needs ; 4) Conclude and plan a follow-up.Discussion : More studies are needed to explore whether the intervention is acceptable and feasible as well as its ability to lead nurses to adopt PCA.Conclusion : The PCA-DSMS could bring nurses to adopt a PCA.