Diabetes Self-care Research Articles

THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE INCIDENT OF DIABETES DISTRESS AND SELF CARE IN DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

The disease that is often found in the community is diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is caused by metabolic disorders that occur in the pancreas organ. Diabetic patients will feel frustrated, angry, hopeless, stressed, anxious and emotional, which is called diabetes stress. Patients with diabetes will experience psychological changes including stress due to the treatment they are undergoing. This study aims to determine the relationship between diabetes distress and self care in diabetics. This type of research used is a quantitative method, with a cross sectional approach. The research instrument used was a questionnaire sheet that had been tested for validity in previous studies. The research respondents consisted of 30 diabetes mellitus patients in the inpatient room at Permata Medika Hospital, Semarang, who were taken using total sampling techniques. The test analysis method used is Rank Spearman. There is a relationship between diabetes distress and self-care in diabetes mellitus sufferers in the inpatient ward of Permata Medika Hospital, Semarang. The results of the analysis using the Spearman rank correlation test regarding diabetes distress and self-care of diabetes mellitus sufferers obtained p value = 0.000, meaning p value ≤ 0.05. The coefficient value or r value = -0.650 shows a strong relationship in the negative direction so it means the diabetes distress is getting lighter. the better the self-care behavior. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between diabetes distress and self-care in diabetes mellitus sufferers in the inpatient ward of Permata Medika Hospital, Semarang.

Self-care practice and associated factors among patients with diabetes on follow-up at Yirgalem General Hospital, Sidama, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundSelf-care practice is an integral and efficient part of comprehensive diabetes management, which could be influenced by various socio-demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors.ObjectiveThe study aimed to assess the level of diabetes self-care practice and its associated factors among patients with diabetes on follow-up at Yirgalem General Hospital, Yirgalem, Sidama, Ethiopia.MethodologyAn Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 15 to May 10, 2022, involving 298 patients with diabetes on follow-up at Yirgalem General Hospital. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was utilized to collect data from patients. A descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the level of good self-care practice. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistics regression were performed to determine factors associated with good diabetic self-care practice. Associations with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultThe overall good diabetic self-care practice among patients was 59.4%. Regarding the specific domains of care, 15 (5%) participants had good self-glucose monitoring care, 228 (76.5%) had good exercise self-care, 268 (89.9%) had good dietary self-care, 228 (76.5%) had good foot self-care, and 260 (87.2%) had good diabetic medication adherence. Single marital status (AOR = 5.7, 95% CI: (1.418, 22.915), urban residence (AOR = 2.992, 95% CI: (1.251, 7.153)), and having a glucometer (AOR = 2.273, 95% CI: (1.083, 4.772)) were factors that were significantly associated with good diabetic self-care practice.ConclusionGood diabetic self-care practices among participants was low. Marital status, place of residence, and having a glucometer were statistically significant predictors of good diabetic self-care practices. Targeted intervention addressing those patients from rural areas to increase awareness and practice of self-care, as well as the promotion of having a glucometer at home for self-glucose monitoring is recommended.

Factors Influencing Therapeutic Non-Adherence Behavior Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Two Public Hospitals in the Gambia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a significant public health problem in The Gambia. While therapeutic non-adherence is widely recognized as a common and costly problem, very little is known about therapeutic adherence behavior among patients with diabetes in The Gambia. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors that influence diabetic therapeutic non-adherence behavior among patients with type 2 diabetes in The Gambia. A cross-sectional study design was used, and participants were recruited from Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) and Kanifing General Hospital (KGH). The sample size of 145 patients with type 2 diabetes was included and data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Adherence to anti-diabetic medications was measured using the Morisky Medications Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with diabetic therapeutic non-adherence. The prevalence of non-adherence to anti-diabetic treatment was 27.6%. Perceived barrier (forgetfulness, long-term medication use, and medication side effects) to diabetic treatment (OR = 0.265, 95% CI: 0.113-0.621, p = 0.041) was statistically significantly associated with non-adherence to anti-diabetic treatment. However, the frequency of doctor's visits (OR = 0.310, 95% CI: 0.046-2.111) was not significantly associated with non-adherence to anti-diabetic treatment. The rate of non-adherence to antidiabetic treatment in this study was high. Perceived barriers to antidiabetic treatment such as forgetfulness, long-term medication use, and medication side effects influenced therapeutic non-adherence to antidiabetic treatment. While interventions should focus on how to eliminate these barriers, health education on diabetic self-care may help reinforce the importance of medication adherence to prevent complications.

Adoption of Diabetes Technology in Denmark: Continuous Glucose Monitor as Time-Machine

ABSTRACT Health technologies to monitor glucose values are an important part of daily diabetes self-care. Based on 12 months of fieldwork in Denmark with 14 people with type 2 diabetes, I explore people’s experience of living with Continuous Glucose Monitoring. This new technology automatically measures glucose levels throughout the day but is not yet common in type 2 diabetes treatment in Denmark. In this article, I capture the social shaping of Continuous Glucose Monitoring, employing the concept of time. I show how adoption of the technology is embedded in a form of biographical time. This refers to people’s use of the technology linked to their stories about themselves. Drawing on a notion of habitus, people’s embodied past experiences and future prospects come to shape its use, I propose. My main claim is that while people with diabetes implement the technology into their lives in unique ways, adapting it to their circumstances and social conditions, practice of Continuous Glucose Monitoring reproduce social structures. This is evinced, I argue, in people’s tinkering with the technology and the frames of reference used to inform it. I introduce the term “tinkering in time”, highlighting the introduction of new health technology within the frame of lived human time.

Social support as perceived, provided and needed by family-members of migrants with type 2 diabetes – a qualitative study

BackgroundSocial support provided by a family member has been found to have a buffering effect on distress and is associated with better diabetes self-care. This study explores the meaning of social support, as described by close family members of foreign-born people living with type 2 diabetes (PWDM) in Sweden. It also explores the support provided by family members, and the support they need to be able to support the PWDM.MethodsQualitative explorative study, semi-structured interviews for data collection. Qualitative content analysis based on a theoretical framework on social support. Purposive sample of 13 family members, 18–52-years-old, born in countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Russia.ResultsThe meaning of support was described as social and emotional. Most participants described a stressful situation; feelings of sadness/worry about the risk of the PWDM developing complications added to a strained life situation from which one could not opt out. Frequent daily contacts in a family network were evident, particularly by children trained as healthcare professionals. Caring for a family member was considered a filial piety, but it was also a chance to reciprocate. The support provided was mainly informational (e.g., reminders about nutritional intake), but it was also instrumental/practical (administering medicines, helping with economy/logistics, planning/cooking meals, basic care) and emotional (sharing meals, thoughts, and activities). The support the family members needed was getting first-hand information by attending the physician visits, being able to book appointments themselves at suitable times, and preventing the withholding of important information about the PWDM. They also desired an open telephone-line, oral and written information, particularly on diet.ConclusionsTo family-members, supporting the PWDM was normal and a filial piety. Support provided and needed was not only informational but also instrumental/practical and emotional. In diabetes care, addressing foreign-born individuals, diabetes education needs to be developed, also including family members. Informational material, particularly on diet, and improved access to healthcare and information about the healthcare system have the potential to increase family members’ control over the situation and prevent a negative trajectory in caregiving with perceived demands causing high levels of stress.

676-P: Associations between Individual Characteristics and Diabetes Self-Care among Black and White Women

676-P: Associations between Individual Characteristics and Diabetes Self-Care among Black and White Women

1941-LB: Effect of the Community-Based Multicomponent Strategy for Diabetes Self-Care

1941-LB: Effect of the Community-Based Multicomponent Strategy for Diabetes Self-Care

Poor self-care practices and contributing factors among adults with type 2 diabetes in Adama, Ethiopia

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prominent global health challenge, characterized by a rising prevalence and substantial morbidity and mortality, especially evident in developing nations. Although DM can be managed with self-care practices despite its complexity and chronic nature, the persistence of poor self-care exacerbates the disease burden. There is a dearth of evidence on the level of poor self-care practices and contributing factors among patients with DM in the study area. Thus, this study assessed the proportion of poor self-care practices and contributing factors among adults with type 2 DM in Adama, Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 404 patients. Self-care practice was assessed by the summary of diabetes self-care activities questionnaires. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with poor self-care practices. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to assess the strength of associations. The statistical significance was declared for a p-value < 0.05. The proportion of poor self-care practices was 54% [95% CI 49.1, 58.6]. Being divorced (AOR = 3.5; 95% CI 1.0, 12.2), having a lower level of knowledge (AOR = 1.70; 95% CI 1.0, 2.8), being on insulin (AOR = 6.3; 95% CI 1.9, 20.6), taking oral medication (AOR = 8.6; 95% CI 3.0, 24.5), being unaware of fasting blood sugar (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI 1.6, 5.2), not a member of a diabetic association (AOR = 3.6; 95% CI 1.7, 7.5), a lack of social support (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI 1.7, 4.9), and having a poor perceived benefit of self-care practices (AOR = 1.84; 95% CI 1.0, 3.2) were associated with poor self-care practices. Overall, this finding demonstrated that a significant percentage of participants (54%) had poor self-care practices. Being divorced, having a low level of knowledge about diabetes and fasting blood sugar, lacking social support, relying on oral medication, perceiving limited benefits from self-care practices, and not being a member of diabetic associations were identified as independent factors of poor self-care.

Precision Diabetes Education and Support Considering Patients' Behavioral and Psychological Phenotype: A Q-Methodology Study.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is growing, and diabetes burden is increasing. Precision health in diabetes education and support employs different intervention strategies, depending on an individual's viewpoint on diabetes and self-management behaviors, to improve patients' treatment adherence, clinical outcomes, and quality of life. To classify the behavioral and psychological phenotypes of self-management behaviors in adults taking oral glucose-lowering medications to develop a theory-driven, person-centered group intervention applicable to busy clinical settings. Q-methodology was used. From January to August 2020, 73 participants (48 male, 25 female) were invited to do Q-sorting with 33 statements. The principal component technique, followed by varimax rotation, was used for factor analysis. The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activity questionnaire and HbA1c in the past 6 months were included to obtain comprehensive understanding. Fifty-one sorts (35 male, 16 female) loaded on 1 of 4 factors: factor A (n = 18): Needing emotional support with enhancing problem-solving skills group; factor B (n = 15): Self-help group; factor C (n = 6): Needing personalized coaching group; and factor D (n = 12): Needing basic diabetes education group. Each factor demonstrated a different need for diabetes education and support. Younger participants (factor D) had the poorest diabetes self-management behaviors and required basic diabetes education. Further research is warranted to develop a screening tool to classify the typologies and adopt the findings in a busy clinical setting.

Relationship between Self-management and Quality of Life among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional, Correlational Study

Background Diabetes is managed by prescribed medication and dietary measures to control blood sugar, but self-management is a vital aspect of this management. Self-management is a complex bio-psycho-social phenomenon, a crucial task in monitoring the negative consequences of the condition and enhancing quality of life. Objective This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-management and health-related quality of life among Saudi patients with diabetes. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative study design was adopted. Self-reported questionnaires were administered to 87 Saudi patients with diabetes in 2021. Data were analysed using Pearson’s r and t-test. Results The total adherence mean of diabetes self-care activities was 2.84 (SD=1.83), which is considered inadequate. The mean score for the total health-related quality of life was 57.35 (SD=15.01), which is regarded as fair. Patients with higher physical and social quality of life reported more adherence to self-management activities. Older patients generally experienced poorer quality of life. Patients with higher body mass index reported statistically significantly more body pain. Male patients reported higher total quality of life and role functioning. Females reported more body pain than males. Conclusion Diabetic patients have particular challenges in controlling the disease. Nurses and other healthcare providers need to empower patients to engage in culturally appropriate self-management and physical exercise. The results reported here could be used to design a specific health promotion policy that addresses the promotion of physical exercise and self-management of diabetes care. These policies should consider cultural nuances and be tailored to different demographic groups.

Health Impact of a Mobile-Delivered Diabetes Intervention to Control Blood Pressure in Older Adults

IntroductionPatient education is an effective modality to reinforce self-care practices for chronic disease management. The purpose of this study was two-fold: (1) to assess the health impact of a phone delivered diabetes intervention and (2) to identify predictors of telehealth message use among adults, aged 18-65 with diabetes in a primary care setting using the TAM theoretical framework. MethodsA pretest-posttest experimental study design was employed. Participants were randomized to received seven-weeks of telehealth self-care messages or to the routine care group. Outcome measures included a) telehealth use among patients who received weekly telehealth messages, b) self-care behavior management derived from the Behavior Score Instrument (BSI) and c) clinical outcomes measures. ResultsWe enrolled 150 patients, and of these, 138 (18-65 years) completed the study. Participants, aged 53 ± 9.6 (mean ± SD) years were mainly females (n = 93; 76%), and the majority received government sponsored health insurance (n=75; 54%). Age was a strong predictor of telehealth use, p<.001. Among patients who received telehealth messages, systolic and diastolic blood pressure measures (140/78 mmHg vs. 134/74 mmHg) were statistically significant at follow-up, p=.001 and p=.007, respectively. ConclusionsDigital support tools can play a valuable role in supporting lifestyle modification changes and reinforcing good diabetes self-care practices in older adults. Providing accessible tools and resources empowers adults to take an active role in their own health.

Targeting self-care adherence for glycaemic control in multimorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus with depression using bupropion: a protocol for cross-over randomised controlled trial

IntroductionDiabetes and depression are among the 10 biggest health burdens globally. They often coexist and exhibit a strong bidirectional relationship. Depression leads to decreased adherence to self-care activities. This impacts...

Validation of the Amharic version of the summary of diabetes self-care activity scale among type 2 diabetes patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023

IntroductionMeasuring what it tends to measure makes a tool powerful and useful for decision-making. As the Amharic version summary of the diabetes self-care activity scale construct hasn't yet been validated, there is an urgent need for validation. This study aims to validate the Amharic version of the summary of the diabetes self-care activity scale among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Addis Ababa hospitals. MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study design was used to recruit 600 participants. The data was collected using open-data-kit and exported to SPSS and STATA for analysis. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed on 300 randomly allocated separate samples. ResultA total of four factors with an eigenvalue greater than one, constituting nine items, were identified. The average variance executed (AVE) becomes 0.78, with a composite reliability of 0.97. Hence there is convergence between the items and the new construct. The overall internal consistency of the new construct was 0.853, which is greater than 0.7, affirming the reliability of the construct. ConclusionWe can conclude that this 4-factor structure with a 9-item Amharic version of SDSCA is highly valid and reliable. Researchers and clinicians are highly recommended to use this validated tool.

Predictors of Diabetes Self-Management Behaviour Among Type 2 Diabetics in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) requires effective self-care behaviors and social support to manage the condition and prevent complications. This study aimed to examine the influence of demographic characteristics and perceived social support on diabetes self-management behaviors in individuals with T2DM. An analytical cross-sectional design was employed to collect data from 300 T2DM patients using validated questionnaires from April to May 2023. Self-care behaviors were assessed using a Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities-Arabic (SDSCA-Arabic), while perceived social support was measured using a Diabetes Care Profile (DCP) using an Arabic Social Support subscale. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were performed to examine the relationships and predictors of self-care behaviors. Patients exhibited varying levels of self-care behaviors, with exercise and blood sugar testing being the most frequently reported activities. Additionally, the findings revealed that health education on self-examining regarding the feet, exercising, comorbidities, perceived social support, medical insurance, and gender were significant predictors of diabetes self-management behaviors. These factors collectively accounted for 21.2% of the variance in self-management behavior levels. Specifically, health education on self-examining regarding the feet (β = -0.286, p = 0.001) and exercising (β = -0.175, p = 0.001) showed a negative association, while perceived social support (β = 0.235, p = 0.001) demonstrated a positive association with self-management behaviors. The study highlights the importance of comprehensive health education programs that address multiple aspects of diabetes management and the role of social support in fostering better self-management behaviors. It also emphasizes the influence of demographic factors on self-management, with individuals with higher comorbidities exhibiting better self-management behaviors and those with medical insurance showing poorer self-management behaviors. These findings have implications for nursing practice, suggesting the need for tailored interventions, effective education, and support networks to enhance self-management behaviors in T2DM patients.

Nurse-led follow-up care versus routine health education and follow-up in diabetes patients: An effectiveness analysis.

Patients with diabetes have physical and psychological issues due to chronic illness. According to the guidelines of the Chinese Diabetes Society, after the diagnosis of patients with diabetes, they should receive routine health education, but this is the passive installation method of education. Nurses have made important contributions to the follow-up, education, and support of patients with diabetes and their families. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led follow-up care in routine health education and follow-up for patients with diabetes. Medical records of 721 patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes were reviewed. Patients received nurse-led follow-up care including educational programs + Tai Chi exercises (patients received nurse-led follow-up care including educational programs for 6 months, n = 108), routine health education and follow-up + Tai Chi exercises (patients received routine health education and follow-up for 6 months, n = 205), or Tai Chi exercises only, but did not receive nurse-led follow-up care or routine health education and follow-up (patients received Tai Chi exercises only for 6 months, n = 408) for 6-months. The Zung Self-Rating Depression and Anxiety Scale and Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities were used to evaluate anxiety, depression, and self-care activities, respectively. Before the start of follow-up care (BFC), knowledge regarding diabetes and its threat was ≤1.75, anxiety and depression scores were ≥52 each, and self-care activities were ≤37. After 6 months of follow-up care, patients in the patients received nurse-led follow-up care including educational programs for 6 months improved their knowledge regarding diabetes and its threat, anxiety, depression, and self-care activities as compared to their before the start of follow-up care conditions and patients in the RF and patients received Tai Chi exercises only for 6 months at after 6 months of follow-up care conditions (P < .001 for all). Chinese type 1 or 2 diabetes patients had worse physical and psychological conditions and less knowledge regarding diabetes and its threat. Nurse-led aftercare, including educational programs with Tai Chi exercises for 6 months, decreased anxiety and depression and improved knowledge regarding diabetes and its threat and self-care activities in diabetic patients (Level of Evidence: IV; Technical Efficacy: Stage 5).

A Tailored Intervention for Improving Diabetes Self-care Among Adults With Visual Impairment: A Pilot Study

ObjectivesOur aim in this study was to develop and evaluate a tailored intervention for improving diabetes self-care among people with visual impairment (TID-VI) in South Korea. MethodsThe TID-VI program was designed around the barriers, resources, and perceptual factors to promote diabetes self-care in those with visual impairment (VI). A single-arm pilot study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of the intervention. Diabetes self-efficacy, self-care behaviours, depression, health-related quality of life, and clinical outcomes (fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin [A1C], lipids, and blood pressure) were measured before and up to 2 months after the 12-week intervention. ResultsAll 14 participants completed TID-VI. Diabetes self-efficacy, diabetes self-care behaviours, depression, and health-related quality of life showed improvement from baseline that was sustained at 2 months. Although high- and low-density lipoprotein also improved, there were no differences in blood glucose, A1C, total cholesterol, or blood pressure at 2 months. ConclusionsA theory-driven, tailored intervention specific to the needs of adults with VI can produce substantial improvements in patient-reported quality of life and health status outcomes, although the benefits are yet to be confirmed in a controlled study.

Self-Care of Diabetes and Diabetes Distress in Non-Hispanic Black Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.

The purpose of the study was to describe the level of self-care of diabetes and diabetes distress and examine their relationship in non-Hispanic Black adults living with type 2 diabetes. This cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with 275 non-Hispanic Black adults with type 2 diabetes in North Carolina over 10 weeks, July 2022 to September 2022. An online survey collected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, self-care measures of diabetes, and diabetes distress. The theory of self-care of chronic illness guided the study. Median regression examined the relationship between self-care of diabetes and diabetes distress. Of the 275 participants, over half reported a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes at younger ages than expected, with a mean age of 40. The self-reported mean A1C of 9% exceeded the recommended goal of <7%, with an average of 2 diabetes-related comorbidities. The self-care of diabetes scale scores were low, and total diabetes distress scores were high. Significant positive associations were found between total diabetes distress and self-care monitoring and self-care management. In this sample, non-Hispanic Black adults had low levels of self-care of diabetes and high levels of diabetes distress. The findings indicate a relationship between self-care of diabetes and diabetes distress; as diabetes distress increases, so do the attempted activities of self-care of diabetes. Health care professionals in diabetes care are uniquely positioned to address further the behavioral aspects of diabetes management, particularly diabetes distress, to support non-Hispanic Black adults living with type 2 diabetes.

Economic Evaluation of a Web Application Implemented in Primary Care for the Treatment of Depression in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Depressive disorder and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are prevalent in primary care (PC). Pharmacological treatment, despite controversy, is commonly chosen due to resource limitations and difficulties in accessing face-to-face interventions. Depression significantly impacts various aspects of a person's life, affecting adherence to medical prescriptions and glycemic control and leading to future complications and increased health care costs. To address these challenges, information and communication technologies (eg, eHealth) have been introduced, showing promise in improving treatment continuity and accessibility. However, while eHealth programs have demonstrated effectiveness in alleviating depressive symptoms, evidence regarding glycemic control remains inconclusive. This randomized controlled trial aimed to test the efficacy of a low-intensity psychological intervention via a web app for mild-moderate depressive symptoms in individuals with T2DM compared with treatment as usual (TAU) in PC. This study aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of a web-based psychological intervention to treat depressive symptomatology in people with T2DM compared with TAU in a PC setting. A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted with 49 patients with T2DM, depressive symptoms of moderate severity, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 7.47% in PC settings. Patients were randomized to TAU (n=27) or a web-based psychological treatment group (n=22). This web-based treatment consisted of cognitive behavioral therapy, improvement of diabetes self-care behaviors, and mindfulness. Cost-effectiveness analysis for the improvement of depressive symptomatology was conducted based on reductions in 3, 5, or 50 points on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The efficacy of diabetes control was estimated based on a 0.5% reduction in HbA1c levels. Follow-up was performed at 3 and 6 months. The cost-utility analysis was performed based on quality-adjusted life years. Efficacy analysis showed that the web-based treatment program was more effective in improving depressive symptoms than TAU but showed only a slight improvement in HbA1c. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of 186.76 for a 3-point reduction in PHQ-9 and 206.31 for reductions of 5 and 50 percentage points were obtained. In contrast, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for improving HbA1c levels amounted to €1510.90 (€1=US $1.18 in 2018) per participant. The incremental cost-utility ratio resulted in €4119.33 per quality-adjusted life year gained. The intervention, using web-based modules incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy tools, diabetes self-care promotion, and mindfulness, effectively reduced depressive symptoms and enhanced glycemic control in patients with T2DM. Notably, it demonstrated clinical efficacy and economic efficiency. This supports the idea that eHealth interventions not only benefit patients clinically but also offer cost-effectiveness for health care systems. The study emphasizes the importance of including specific modules to enhance diabetes self-care behaviors in future web-based psychological interventions, emphasizing personalization and adaptation for this population. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03426709; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03426709. RR2-10.1186/S12888-019-2037-3.

The Vital Role of Pharmacists in Diabetes Self-care

The number of people affected by diabetes is projected to rise significantly by 2030. As of 2021, 537 million people were living with diabetes with the numbers projected to rise to 643 million by 2030. The growing number of patients living with diabetes means that the demand for care will likely go up. Healthcare providers provide diabetes care more so the regular follow-up required by patients living with the disease. They also work together with the patients in facilitating self-care. Diabetes self-care is instrumental for patients living with diabetes. It ensures patients achieve glycemic control and have a lower risk of having complications. However, for most patients, practicing self-care can be a challenge. Most lack the knowledge and skills that are required to practice self-care confidently. Involving healthcare providers in diabetes self-care can lead to better disease outcomes. Pharmacists can provide the regular follow-ups and other services that lead to effective self-care such as health literacy. Pharmacists-led diabetes management interventions have been shown to lead to good outcomes including better glycemic control and reduced likelihood of having high blood pressure. Therefore, the aim of this review is to explore the role of pharmacists in diabetes self-care. Keywords: diabetes, diabetes self-care, diabetes complications, pharmacists, glycemic control

Exploring the Determinants of Diabetes’ Self-Care Practices among the Diabetics Living in Urban Field Practice Area of Medical College in Hyderabad

Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease, and among the adults, type II diabetes is more common. In 2021, approximately 537 million adults between 20 to79 suffered from diabetes. Diabetics who follow self-care practices can manage their blood glucose levels better, which in turn prevents the secondary complications. Methods: This was a community-based and cross-sectional study performed in the urban field practice (UHC) area of a tertiary care medical college conducted on 110 type II diabetics. The ‘summary of diabetes self-care activities’ questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: Mean age was 53 +/- 7.6, 70% of whom were females and 45.4% were lower-middle Socio-Economic Status. 33% of the participants had uncontrolled diabetes. The majority of study subjects (68.2%) suffered from hypertension as a co-morbidity, followed by heart disease (10.9%), thyroid disease (10%), and hypercholestrolism (1.8%). 62.7% of the subjects showed treatment adherence for &gt; 4 days/week. Diabetics who had the disease for more than 5 years and followed a proper diet and adhered to treatment (&gt; 4 d/week), showed a better control of glucose levels. Conclusion: The findings of this study can be used to strengthen NPCDCS program to bridge the knowledge gap regarding self-care among patients and caregivers.