Abstract
BackgroundThe prevalence of diabetes and the use of electronic health (eHealth) are increasing. Lifestyle changes in a positive direction may reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. The main objective of this study was to test the association between lifestyle changes based on online information seeking and discussing the information with a doctor.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study we used e-mail survey data from 1250 members of The Norwegian Diabetes Association, collected in 2018. Included in the analyses were 847 men and women aged 18 to 89 years diagnosed with diabetes and who reported use of eHealth within the previous year. We used descriptive statistics to estimate lifestyle changes based on information from the internet. Logistic regressions were used to estimate the associations between lifestyle changes after online information seeking and discussing the information with a doctor. Analyses were adjusted for gender, age, education, and self-rated health.ResultsLifestyle changes accomplished after online information seeking was reported by 46.9% (397/847) of the participants. The odds of changing lifestyle were more than doubled for those who had discussed information from the internet with a doctor (odds ratio 2.54, confidence interval 1.90–3.40). The odds of lifestyle changes were lower in the age groups 30–39 years and 60 years and over, compared to those aged 18–29 years (the reference group). Lifestyle changes were not associated with gender, education, or self-rated health.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that health-care professionals can play an important role in lifestyle changes additional to health-advice found on the internet. This study underlines the importance of easily accessible high-quality online information, as well as the importance of making room for discussing lifestyle in the clinical encounter.
Highlights
Prevalence of diabetes in Norway and globallyDiabetes is recognized as one of the fastest growing global health emergencies of the 21st century
Lifestyle changes accomplished after online information seeking was reported by 46.9% (397/847) of the participants
Our findings indicate that health-care professionals can play an important role in lifestyle changes additional to health-advice found on the internet
Summary
Prevalence of diabetes in Norway and globallyDiabetes is recognized as one of the fastest growing global health emergencies of the 21st century. Prevalence of diabetes in Norway and globally. The global prevalence of diabetes was estimated to 463 million (9.3%) in 2019, and is expected to increase to 700 million (10.9%) in 2045 [1]. In recent years incident use of oral antidiabetic drugs was stable or decreasing, which may indicate that the increase in diabetes incidence in Norway is levelling off [4]. People with diabetes have increased morbidity and mortality compared to the general population [5, 6]. Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study 2015 shows that diabetes is the 10th most important reason for disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in Norway [7]. Lifestyle changes in a positive direction may reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. The main objective of this study was to test the association between lifestyle changes based on online information seeking and discussing the information with a doctor
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