Physical Activity Pattern and Its Association with Glycaemic and Blood Pressure Control among People Living with Diabetes (PLWD) In The Ho Municipality, Ghana

Associations between physical activity patterns and quality of life in persons with type 2 diabetes: A cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes is a major health problem globally and particularly in Ghana. Regular physical activity is important in the management of type 2 diabetes and in improving quality of life of persons with type 2 diabetes. However, there is a lack of data reporting on how physical activity relate to quality of life in persons with diabetes in Ghana. This study explored how physical activity patterns relate to quality of life in persons with type 2 diabetes from a major tertiary hospital in Ghana.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-one (121) persons with type 2 diabetes (age, 30-60 years) filled in questionnaires on their physical activity patterns (time spent in sitting, walking, moderate-intensity activities, and vigorous-intensity activities) and quality of life (diabetes control, anxiety and worry, social burden, sexual functioning, energy and mobility). The relationships between the variables were examined using spearman correlation.

RESULTS

Time spent in sitting, walking, moderate-intensity activities and vigorous-intensity activities were 1677.7±401.5min, 464.1±296.0MET-min, 241.2±65.8MET-min and 1956.5±1251.0MET-min respectively. Walking was negatively related to energy and mobility (r = -.48, p<0.01), sexual functioning (r = -0.44, p<0.01), social burden (r = -0.41, p<0.01) and diabetes control (r = -0.56, p<0.01) domains of quality of life. Vigorous-intensity activities was negatively related to anxiety and worry (r = -0.20, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggests that persons with type 2 diabetes who experience decline in energy and mobility, sexual functioning, and disease management, and heightened social burden, anxiety and worry may benefit from guidance on optimal physical activity behaviour in the form of walking to improve their quality of life.

Suboptimal blood pressure control and its associated factors among people living with diabetes mellitus in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Suboptimal blood pressure control among people living with diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the primary causes of cardiovascular complications and death in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, there is a paucity of evidence on the prevalence and associated factors of suboptimal blood pressure control in SSA. Therefore, this review aimed to estimate its pooled prevalence and associated factors among people living with DM in SSA.  METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, African Journals OnLine, HINARI, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and direct Google to access observational studies conducted in SSA. Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was used to extract the data, which was exported into STATA/MP version 16.0 for further analyses. Heterogeneity across studies was checked using Cochran's Q test statistics and I² test, and small study effect was checked using Funnel plot symmetry and Egger's statistical test at a 5% significant level. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence and associated factors of suboptimal blood pressure control at a 95% confidence interval (CI) and significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Of the 7329 articles retrieved, 21 articles were eligible for the meta-analysis. After performing random-effects model, the pooled prevalence of suboptimal blood pressure control was 69.8% (95% CI: 63.43, 76.25%). Poor adherence to antihypertensive treatment (OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.03-2.80, I² = 0.0%, p = 0.531) and overweight (OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.57-3.68, I² = 0.00%, p = 0.47) were significantly associated with suboptimal blood pressure control.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of suboptimal blood pressure control among diabetic patients in SSA was high, and poor adherence to antihypertensive treatment and overweight were significantly associated with suboptimal blood pressure control. Hence, there is an urgent need for initiatives to improve and control hypertension, and preventive measures should concentrate on modifiable risk factors.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020187901.

Relative Handgrip Strength and Incidence of Hypertension: A Case-Cohort Study From Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases Cohort

BACKGROUND

The present study assessed the association between relative handgrip strength (RHGS) and hypertension incidence in healthy adults.

METHODS

We performed a case-cohort study on 3784 participants from Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases cohort study. The absolute HGS was measured using a digital dynamometer. Hypertension was defined as systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg and/or use of antihypertensive medications. Cox regression analysis was utilized to estimate hazard ratios of incident hypertension events with RHGS.

RESULTS

Physical activity was significantly higher in the participants with hypertension compared with nonhypertensive participants (P &lt; .001). High-level physical activity in the subjects with lower, middle, and upper RHGS was 19.6%, 33.1%, and 47.3%, respectively (P &lt; .001). RHGS was significantly higher in individuals with greater skeletal muscle mass (P &lt; .001). The men and women with the upper RHGS, had an 80% (hazard ratio: 0.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-0.3) and 70% (hazard ratio: 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-1.2), were lower risk of hypertension compared with those with the lower RHGS, respectively. This association remains significant after adjustment for confounding factors in men.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated that middle and upper levels of RHGS were associated with a lower risk of hypertension incidence. RHGS may be a protective factor for hypertension. We suggested muscle strengthening exercises.

Prevalence of Poor Diabetes Self-Management Behaviors among Ethiopian Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Diabetes has no cure so far, but appropriate self-management contributes to delay or control its progression. However, poor self-management by diabetic patients adds to disease burden. The pooled prevalence of overall, and its main components of poor self-management among Ethiopian diabetic patients remain elusive. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of poor diabetes self-management behaviors among diabetic patients in Ethiopia.

Method

by using different combinations of search terms, we accessed articles done until February 15, 2020 through Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase databases. Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale was used for quality assessment, and STATA version 14 software along with the random-effects model was employed for statistical analyses. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA.) guideline was followed to report the results.

Result

Twenty-one studies with 7,168 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of poor self-management behavior among diabetic patients in Ethiopia was 49.79% (95% CI: 43.58%, 56.01%). Based on subgroup analysis, the estimated magnitudes of poor self-management by regions were 68.58% in Tigray, 55.46% in Harari, 54.74%, in Amhara, 40.90%, in SNNPRS and 37.06% in Addis Ababa. The worst (80.91%) and relatively better (24.65%) self-management components were observed on self-blood glucose monitoring and medication adherence, respectively.

Conclusion

One in two diabetic patients in Ethiopia had poor self-management. Thus, we strongly recommend to the ministry of health and universities to train diabetes health educators, and the health facilities to deliver tailored diabetes health education.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Good Self-Care Practice among People Living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Ethiopia: A National Call to Bolster Lifestyle Changes

Background

Self-care practice is the mainstay of management for good glycemic control. Despite the presence of a few pocket studies, no comprehensive study was conducted in Ethiopia to demonstrate the overall good self-care practice among diabetic patients in Ethiopia. Therefore, we intended to conduct this systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the overall good self-care practice among people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Ethiopia.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane library, Google scholar, and direct Google to retrieve relevant studies. Forest plot was used to present the pooled estimate of good self-care practice using DerSimonian and Laird's random-effects model. We checked publication bias using Egger's test and funnel plot. Potential heterogeneity was tested using the I-squared statistic. Moreover, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results

In this review, 12 primary studies (with a total sample size of 4030) were included. Because of the presence of heterogeneity, we employed a random-effects model. After running the random-effects model, the pooled estimate of overall good self-care practice was 51.12% (95% CI: 41.90–60.34). Furthermore, the pooled estimate of good dietary practice was 50.18% (95% CI: 32.75–67.60), good physical exercise practice was 48.29% (95% CI: 34.14–62.43), the good footcare practice was 63.61% (95% CI: 45.56–81.66), and appropriate self-monitoring of the blood glucose level was 31.89% (95% CI: −4.62–68.41). In this meta-analysis, there was serious interstudy variation, but there was no publication bias.

Conclusions

The overall good self-care practice among people living with T2DM was low which necessitates the need for designing strategies to increase the self-care practice. The health sector has to bolster awareness creation to allow better plasma glucose control and preventing diabetes-related complications. This trial is registered with CRD42019147694.

Review of Ongoing Activities and Challenges to Improve the Care of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Across Africa and the Implications for the Future

Background

There has been an appreciable increase in the number of people in Africa with metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in recent years as a result of a number of factors. Factors include lifestyle changes, urbanisation, and the growing consumption of processed foods coupled with increasing levels of obesity. Currently there are 19 million adults in Africa with diabetes, mainly T2DM (95%), estimated to grow to 47 million people by 2045 unless controlled. This has a considerable impact on morbidity, mortality and costs in the region. There are a number of issues to address to reduce the impact of T2DM including improving detection rates and current access to services alongside addressing issues of adherence to prescribed medicines. There are also high rates of co-morbidities with infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis in patients in Africa with T2DM that require attention.

Objective

Document ongoing activities across Africa to improve the care of patients with T2DM especially around issues of identification, access, and adherence to changing lifestyles and prescribed medicines. In addition, discussing potential ways forward to improve the care of patients with T2DM based on ongoing activities and experiences including addressing key issues associated with co-morbidities with infectious diseases.

Our Approach

Contextualise the findings from a wide range of publications including internet based publications of national approaches coupled with input from senior level government, academic and other professionals from across Africa to provide future guidance.

Ongoing Activities

A number of African countries are actively instigating programmes to improve the care of patients with T2DM starting with improved diagnosis. This recognises the growing burden of non-communicable diseases across Africa, which has been neglected in the past. Planned activities include programmes to improve detection rates and address key issues with diet and lifestyle changes, alongside improving monitoring of care and activities to enhance adherence to prescribed medicines. In addition, addressing potential complexities involving diabetes patients with infectious disease co-morbidities. It is too early to fully assess the impact of such activities.

Conclusion

There are a number of ongoing activities across Africa to improve the management of patients with diabetes including co-morbidities. However, more needs to be done considering the high and growing burden of T2DM in Africa. Ongoing research will help further benefit resource allocation and subsequent care.

Evaluation of Dyslipidaemia Using an Algorithm of Lipid Profile Measures among Newly Diagnosed Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Ghana

Background and Objectives: Dyslipidaemia and its associated complications have been reported to increase mortality among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. However, there is a dearth of data on the incidence of dyslipidemia among Ghanaian patients with T2DM. This study evaluated dyslipidemia among newly diagnosed T2DM patients at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Ghana. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited a total of 215 participants at the Presbyterian Hospital, Dormaa-Ghana. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to collect demographic data. Predisposing factors of dyslipidemia such as BMI, hypertension, and family history of diabetes were also obtained. Lipid profile was performed on the serum obtained from each respondent. Dyslipidaemia was defined as total cholesterol (TC) >200 mg/dL, triglyceride (TG) >150 mg/dL, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) >100 mg/dL, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) <40 in males and <50 mg/dL in females. Combinations of the individual parameters of dyslipidaemia were further evaluated. Results: Of the total (215) participants, 86 (40%) were males and 129 (60%) were females, representing a ratio of 1:1.5. High total cholesterol was more prevalent in females (69.0%) than males (53.5%). Generally, dyslipidaemia was predominant among those aged >40 years, with the exception of increased LDL-c (25.1%), which was higher among the 20–40 years age group. The male participants exhibited significantly (p < 0.001) higher percentages of all combined measures of dyslipidaemia—such as high TG and reduced HDL-c (77.9%), high TG and elevated LDL-c (75.6%) and high LDL and low HDL (65.1%). BMI was significantly associated with HDL levels (p = 0.02), whereas family history of diabetes was associated with TC (p = 0.004) and TG levels (p = 0.019). Conclusion: Combined dyslipidaemia is relatively high among newly diagnosed T2DM patients in Ghana, and in those >40 years. Gender is significantly associated with combined dyslipidaemia in T2DM, and males may be at a higher risk than females. BMI and family history of diabetes are potential risk factors of dyslipidaemia in T2DM.