Title: Knowledge of Diabetes, its Treatment and Complications in Diabetic Patients
Authors: Dr Sheena A Mammen, Dr Ashish A Thankachan
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i5.99
Abstract
Background: At present India is considered as the diabetic capital of the world. Studies have shown that patients’ knowledge about the treatment and complications of diabetes is limited especially with regard to preventive aspects.
Objectives: To assess the knowledge about Diabetes Mellitus, its treatment and complications in diabetic patients.
Methodology: This was a cross sectional study using a structured questionnaire, conducted in diabetic patients attending a secondary care hospital. The patients were chosen by convenient sampling.
Results: 100 patients were interviewed to collect data. Of the 100 patients, 49% thought diabetes can be prevented. Forty patients told that they can stop medicines once the blood sugar becomes normal. Though 90% of patients told that diabetes affects the eyes, only 69% patients told that they should have regular eye check up done.
Conclusions: Patients’ knowledge about diabetes mellitus is limited. There is a definite need to empower patients with the knowledge required to help them obtain the maximum benefit from their treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, knowledge, treatment.
References
1. Gupta V, Suri P. Diabetes in elderly patients. JK Practitioner 2002;91:258-9.
2. Heisler M, Pietee JD, Spencer M, Kieffer E, Vijan S. The relationship between know-ledge of recent HbA1c values and diabetes care understanding and self-management. Diabetes Care 2005;28:816-22.
3. Malathy R, Narmadha M, Ramesh S, Alvin JM, Dinesh BN. Effect of a diabetes counseling programme on knowledge, attitude and practice among diabetic patients in Erode district of South India. J Young Pharm. 2011;3:65–72.
4. Persell SD, Keating NL, Landrum MB, Landon BE, Ayanian JZ, Borbas C, et al. Relationship of diabetes-specific knowledge to self-management activities, ambulatory preventive care, and metabolic outcomes. Prev Med 2004;39:746-752.
5. Gulabani M, John M, Isaac R. Knowledge of diabetes, its treatment and complications amongst diabetic patients in a tertiary care hospital. Indian J Community Med. 2008;33:204–6.