Summary Of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure Research Articles

Questionnaire-Based Survey of Diabetes Self-Care Activities and Barriers among Young Korean Adults with Early-Onset Diabetes.

Self-management of diabetes is a significant challenge. This study aimed to assess diabetes self-care activities and barriers among Korean young adults with diabetes mellitus. This study recruited 209 Korean adults with diabetes, with an onset age of 20-39 years, from four university hospitals. Demographic characteristics and the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) measure and Diabetes Self-Care Barriers Assessment Scale for Older Adults (DSCB-OA) scores were assessed using questionnaires. The average age of study participants was 32.9±6.1 years. Their self-care activities, including adherence to recommended diabetes medication (5.6±2.4) and number of diabetes pills (5.5±2.3) in the SDSCA measure, were the most well-performed activities among all domains. Responses to inspection of the inside of shoes in the foot care activity (0.8±1.5) and specific exercise sessions in the exercise activity (1.6±1.9) reflected poor levels of compliance. According to the DSCB-OA questionnaire, the mean diabetes self-care barrier of DSCB-OA was 20.6±5.0 of total score 45. The greater perceived barriers to self-care on the DSCB-OA were having difficulty exercising regularly (1.9±0.7) and eating three meals and snacks leading to weight gain (1.9±0.8). Young adults with early-onset diabetes showed a greater barrier to regular exercise and poor compliance with foot care and blood sugar testing. Healthcare providers must strengthen their relationship with young adults with diabetes to provide more education and guidelines for lifestyle modification focused on exercise and to promote higher compliance with diabetic self-care activities for improving clinical outcomes.

Patient-Centered Medicine and Self-Care of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Even though the prevalence rate of diabetes in Portugal is one of the highest in Europe, no studies on the association between patient centered medicine, diabetes self-care, and glycemic control have been published. Assuming that patient centered medicine increases adherence to treatment through the improvement of the doctor-patient relationship, the aim of this study was to assess the influence of patient-centered medicine on the self-care of patients with type 2 diabetes patients' (T2DM) in two Family Health Units in Central Portugal, according to gender and age. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two Family Health Units in Central Portugal between the 25th November 2021 and the 15th January 2022. Patients with type 2 diabetes were invited to fill in the Patient-Centered Medicine questionnaire, for patients (PCM-p) (where higher values represent worse results) and the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure (SDSCAM), (where higher values represent better results), while healthcare professionals filled in the epidemiologic variables on pre-defined days. A sample of 298 patients with type 2 diabetes was studied. Linear regressions for the association between SDSCAM scale factors and PCM-p showed significant associations for general diet (β = -0.07, p < 0.001), specific diet (β = -0.10, p < 0.001), exercise (β = -0.03, p = 0.008), foot care (β = -0.11, p < 0.001) and medication adherence in general (β = -0.06, p = 0.001). Multiple linear regression including the association between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and the SDSCAM scale dimensions showed that specific diet was associated with lower HbA1c levels (β = -0.01, p = 0.007) and blood sugar testing (β = 0.01, p < 0.001) and that a higher score in PCMp was associated with higher HbA1c levels (β = 0.06, p < 0.001). Male patients (β = -6.93, p = 0.007) and older patients (β = -0.42, p = 0.001) were associated with lower scores in the specific diet. The male gender was associated with higher scores in exercise (β = 7.62, p = 0.029), lower scores in foot care (β = -6.06, p = 0.029) and lower scores in medication adherence to injectable medicines/6.2 (β = -0.73, p = 0.018). Age was associated with a lower score in medication (β = -0.03, p = 0.045) and a higher PCMp total score (β = 0.07, p = 0.030). Patient-centered medicine in type 2 diabetics is associated with better self-care behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes. Gender and age differences were observed in self-care behaviors and age differences were observed in Patient Centered Medicine.

The mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between diabetes self-management ability and patient activation in older adults with type 2 diabetes

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the level of diabetes self-management ability in older patients with type 2 diabetes and analyse its relationship with patient activation. Besides, the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between the two was assessed in the study. MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, 200 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited from the community of Yangzhou, China. The Patient Activation Measure (PAM), The Self-efficacy for Diabetes (SED), and The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure (SDSCA) were used in the questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0 and PROCESS macro. ResultsPearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation (p< 0.01) between diabetes self-management ability and patient activation (r=0.312) and self-efficacy (r=0.367). Self-efficacy partially mediated the effect between patient activation and self-management ability in older patients with type 2 diabetes, and the mediating effect accounted for 49.33% of the total effect (p< 0.001). ConclusionsOlder patients with type 2 diabetes in the community have a moderate level of self-management ability. Patient activation can improve patients' self-management ability through self-efficacy.

The Relationship of Self-Care Activities with Blood Pressure of Diabetes Mellitus Type II Patients

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension are diseases that often appear together. DM patients with hypertension are at risk for microvascular and macrovascular complications. Self-care activities that are carried out regularly will improve the health condition of DM patients, thereby reducing the risk of complications. This study aims to determine the relationship between self-care activities and blood pressure in type II DM patients at the BPJS Kesehatan Palangka Raya Prolanis Club. The research design uses correlation analysis with a cross-sectional approach; the research population is all members of the Prolanis Club BPJS Kesehatan Palangka Raya. The number of samples was as many as 35 people with the purposive sampling technique. The research instrument used a questionnaire, The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure (SDSCA); the collected data was analyzed using the chi-square test. The results showed that as many as (51.4%) of diabetic patients had good self-care activity status, totaling 18 respondents. As many as 51.4% of respondents have normal blood pressure status. The statistical results of this study obtained p value = 0.028 (p &lt;0.05), and r = 6.240, meaning that there is a relationship between self-care activities and blood pressure in type II DM patients. It means that the higher the self-care activity in diabetic patients, the blood pressure tends to be normal. Recommendations for further research are identifying the inhibiting factors in self-care activities for type II DM patients.

Gestational diabetes and determinants of adherence to healthy behaviors.

Previous studies on (GDM) focused on finding new strategies to decrease the incidence of its complications; however, there is insufficient evidence that investigate the influencing factors of adherence to healthy behaviors. This study examined the influencing factors of adherence to healthy behaviors among pregnant women with gestational diabetes (GDM). Descriptive cross-sectional design was used among pregnant women with gestational diabetes. The study participants completed study instruments twice (pre-test & post-test), with a four-weeks gap. The measurement scales included summary of diabetes self-care activities measure (SDSCA), diabetes management self-efficacy scales (DMSES) and open-ended questions to assess barriers and motivators of adherence. The analytical tool was multiple linear regression. The results from multiple regression indicated that 20.0% of the total variation in the adherence to healthy behaviors was explained by women's perceived self-efficacy and the overall relationship was significant [F (1, 88) =23.60, P<0.000]. From the demographic variables, only, the gestational age at delivery was found to be a significant predictor of adherence to healthy behaviors (t=-3.1, P<0.05), adjusted R-square =15.6. Physical limitation and time constraints (40%) were the most reported barriers for adherence. Participants' concern of GDM-related complications (94.4%) and family moral support (52.2%) were the main identified motivators for adherence. The importance of assessing determinants, barriers and motivators of adherence to healthy behaviors should be considered before planning any antenatal health promotion interventions designed for women with GDM. The study findings have implications for research, practice, policy advisors and public health. For practice, maternal nurses should consider the identified barriers in this study in any health education intervention and provide solutions and resources to the pregnant women to overcome these barriers. Policy advisors need to take into considerations providing pregnant women with flexible working hours that could encourage them maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviors during the pregnancy period. Researchers interested in GDM should examine in the upcoming studies different self-efficacy enhancing strategies among pregnant women with GDM.

Distress and depression among patients with diabetes mellitus: prevalence and associated factors: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to validate the internal consistency of the Persian version of the diabetes distress scale-17 (DDS-17) and to investigate the prevalence of diabetes distress (DD), depression, and possible relevant factors. This was a cross-sectional study on 820 diabetes patients (62.4 % females) in Tehran, Iran between January and June 2017. The Ethics Committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences approved the protocol. Patients filled out a demographic and health survey, DDS-17, the Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition (BDI-II) and the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure (SDSCA). DDS-17 consist of emotional burden, and physician, regimen, and interpersonal related distress. The correlation between DDS subscales and association between DDS and BDI-II or SDSCA scores were assessed using SPSS. The mean age was 58.91 ± 12.35years. Majority of patients had high DD (37.2 %) and severe depression (38.7 %). The general and specific diets got the highest score in six SDSCA subscales. The Persian version of DDS-17 had excellent internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.924. The DDS score had significant relationship with socioeconomic level (p < .001), type of DM (p < .001), type of treatment (p < .001), glycemic control status (p < .001), complication (p < .001) and depression level (p < .001). The level of hemoglobin A1c was the most useful predictor of DDS score (p < .001). High prevalence of depression and distress in patient with diabetes calls for greater emphasizes on the importance of enhanced physicians and patients' knowledge in these areas.

Effects of Flash Glucose Monitoring on Dietary Variety, Physical Activity, and Self-Care Behaviors in Patients with Diabetes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of flash glucose monitoring on dietary variety, physical activity, and self-care behavior in patients with diabetes. This study included outpatients with diabetes using insulin who presented at the Department of Diabetes and Metabolism of the Ise Red Cross Hospital. Before initiating flash glucose monitoring and 12 weeks after its initiation, blood glucose-related parameters were assessed and self-administered questionnaires were completed (Dietary Variety Score (DVS), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure (SDSCA), and the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ)) and compared between the two time points. We analyzed 42 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 48 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but not type 1 diabetes mellitus, there was an increase in moderate/high category scores for IPAQ (P < 0.001) and for treatment satisfaction reported via DTSQ. Furthermore, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the glycemic excursion index improved significantly and HbA1c decreased significantly (from 7.7 (1.2) to 7.4 (0.8), P = 0.025). Results showed that standard deviation and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions significantly decreased in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (from 71.2 (20.4) to 66.2 (17.5), P = 0.033 and from 124.6 (31.9) to 108.1 (28.4), P < 0.001, respectively). Flash glucose monitoring is a useful tool to improve physical activity in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Factors Associated With The Performance Of Self-Care Activities In Diabetic Patients In Three Ucayali Hospitals

OBJECTIVES: To determine the levels and assessment of self-care in diabetic patients in three hospitals in Ucayali during 2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional study, conducted in three hospitals in Ucayali during 2017 with a sample size of 572 participants through a stratified random sampling. A self-administered survey was applied that evaluated the general characteristics, the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire 24 (DQK-24), the patient's attitude by the Diabetes Attitude Scale (DAS-3) and Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities Measure (SDSCA) which mediates self-care practices. RESULTS: From 572 patients, 50.8% being women, with the median age of 47 years (RIQ: 35-56). Hypertension (22.4%) was the most frequent comorbidity. Also, having an adequate knowledge about their disease (RPa: 2.47; 95% CI: 13.5-4.50), strict control (RPa: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.09-1.65) predispose adherence in their diet. The need for some special training (RPa: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.03-1.47), the perception of the severity in their illness (RPa: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.02-1.55) and have autonomy (RPa: 1.35; 95% CI : 1.12-1.64) predisposed to taste your blood sugar. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the patients performed inadequate self-care activities, knowledge about their disease and strict control influence the patient's diet, as well as special training, perceive the severity of their disease and be autonomous drives the realization of taste blood sugar.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-EFICACY AND SELF-CARE IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

Self-Efficacy is needed to form self-care to prevent complications from type 2 diabetes mellitus. The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between self-efficacy and self-care in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. A descriptive correlation was used in this study. The Diabetes Management Self Efficacy Scale (DMSES) was used to measure self-efficacy and the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure (SDSCA) to measure self-care survey instrument were distributed to type 2 diabetes mellitus patient in one of internist outpatient Bukittinggi (N=81) form October 2018-August 2019. The results showed that mean self-efficacy of respondents was 88.65 and the self-care was 3.2. Statistical significance corelation was found between self-eficacy and self-care (r=0.713; p=0.001). The study adds knowledge regarding health education. Further study is needed to explore other factors related to self-efficacy and self-care of type 2 diabetes mellitus to prevent complication.

Psychometric evaluation of the summary of diabetes self-care activities measure in Ghanaian adults living with type 2 diabetes

AimsWe evaluated the content validity, factorial structure, internal consistency, construct validity, and floor and ceiling effects of the SDSCA among Ghanaian persons with type 2 diabetes. MethodsThe summary of diabetes self-care activities measure (SDSCA) was administered to 187 adults living with type 2 diabetes from three diabetes clinics. ResultsA confirmatory factor analysis maintained the four factor structure of the SDSCA. However, two items, 3 (fruit and vegetable servings) and 4 (red meat or full-fat dairy products) had factor loadings of 0.26 and 0.16 respectively. The model also had a statistical power of 0.72 (below acceptable criteria). Modification of the model by removing item 4 resulted in an improved revised model with a power of 0.82. Construct validity was found for the exercise and diet subscales of the SDSCA but not for the self-monitoring of blood glucose and foot care subscales. The internal consistency of the SDSCA measure was 0.68, below acceptable criteria for internal consistency. No floor effects were present but the exercise subscale had ceiling effects. ConclusionThe SDSCA measure had content validity, maintained its multidimensionality and met the criteria for floor effects but not for construct validity, internal consistency and ceiling effects. The SDSCA measure may require improvements to evaluate self-care behaviours of adult type 2 diabetes patients in Ghana and probably in other sub-Saharan countries.

Changes in Self-Care Behavior (Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure) Using Real-Time Blood Glucose Monitoring with the Free Style Libre

No studies have reported changes in self-care behavior, and it remains unclear whether Free Style Libre (Libre) differs from conventional blood glucose self-monitoring devices in this regard. Therefore, we instructed diabetes patients using conventional self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) devices to use the Libre and prospectively examined the effect of this new device on self-care behavior and patient treatment satisfaction. The subjects comprised 41 outpatients with diabetes who were using conventional SMBG devices. The subjects were randomly assigned to group A, which comprised patients using Libre for ≥2 weeks (n = 21), or group B, which comprised patients who continued using conventional SMBG devices (n = 20). All patients received 30 minutes of diet and exercise therapy instruction from a registered dietitian and nurse (or clinical laboratory technologists). The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities measure (SDSCA) was administered at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months. Changes in the SDSCA, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), glycated albumin (GA), and body weight from baseline to 1 month were analyzed (UMIN000029016). At baseline, the two groups did not differ significantly in terms of the HbA1c, GA, body weight, or 17 SDSCA items. At 1 month, the numbers of days involving eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables were 5.0 (3.3, 6.8) in group A and 3.0 (1.0, 6.0) in group B, the numbers of days involving exercise for at least 30 minutes were 5.0 (2.0, 6.0) in group A and 2.0 (0, 3.0) in group B, and the number of days involving specific exercise were 3.0 (2.0, 6.0) in group A and 1.5 (0, 2.3) in group B; both of these values were significantly higher in group A than in group B (p = 0.033, 0.037 and 0.041, respectively). These results suggest that the use of the Libre may improve the self-care behaviors of diabetes patients regarding diet and exercise, compared with the use of conventional SMBG devices. Disclosure A. Kudara: None. T. Tosaki: Other Relationship; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Takeda Development Center Asia, Pte. Ltd., MSD K.K., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation. S. Sato: None. A. Inagaki: None. M. Kondo: None. S. Tsunekawa: None. Y. Kato: Speaker's Bureau; Self; Merck Sharp &amp; Dohme Corp., Sanofi, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Eli Lilly Japan. H. Kamiya: Other Relationship; Self; MSD K.K., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Sanofi K.K., AstraZeneca, Astellas Pharma KK, Eli Lilly and Company, Novartis Pharma K.K., Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. J. Nakamura: Other Relationship; Self; Astellas Pharma US, Inc., AstraZeneca, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., MSD K.K., Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd., Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., Sanofi K.K., Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Takeda Development Center Asia, Pte. Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company, Novartis Pharma K.K., Pfizer Inc..

Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities: A confirmatory factor analytic approach

Diabetes self-care activities is an important aspect for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients. The aim of this study was to examine the construct validity of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) measure. This was a cross-sectional study whereby T2DM patients were recruited from endocrine clinics in hospitals. The patients gave their informed consent before the interview. The SDSCA measure was used to gather information about the patients’ diabetes self-care. Internal consistency reliability was measured by the Cronbach’s Alpha value while the construct validity was measured by Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The fit indices for both the four-factor and five-factor structures were high (CFI >0.90 and GFI >0.90). The interconstruct correlations of the SDSCA scale was found to be highest between general and specific diet. The constructs of the SDSCA demonstrated adequate convergent validities. The SDSCA measure was found to be a valid one.

Effect of Foot Self-Care Behavior According to Severity of Diabetic Neuropathy in Japanese Patients with Diabetes

PURPOSE: Diabetic patients with severe diabetic neuropathy often have hypoesthesia and numbness. This study evaluated foot self-care behavior according to severity of diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: We used a hand-held nerve conduction test device DPN check (HDN-1000, Omron) to evaluate severity of diabetic neuropathy. Foot self-care was evaluated using the Japanese SDSCA (the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities measure). Foot self-care comprised visual inspection, washing, wiping interdigital areas, and checking shoes, and was scored according to the number of days self-care which was performed in the previous week. RESULTS: The study evaluated 103 diabetic patients (age: 65.7 years, diabetes duration: 13.9 years, HbA1c: 7.3%). Total scores (out of 28 points) for self-care behavior according to neuropathy severity were 11.8 (Normal: n = 54), 10.6 (Mild: n = 27), 13.3 (Moderate: n = 17), and 10.8 (Severe: n = 5). Foot self-care scores were low in all groups, with particularly low scores in those with severe neuropathy. However, no statistically significant differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Foot self-care is essential in diabetes because lesions are more likely to occur in severe neuropathy. Living alone and the presence of recurrent foot lesions are associated with poor survival prognosis. Accordingly, foot-care intervention must take neuropathy severity and lifestyle factors into account. The severity of diabetic neuropathy must be determined and foot-care intervention should take lifestyle factors into account.

Do health literacy and patient empowerment affect self-care behaviour? A survey study among Turkish patients with diabetes

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the impact of health literacy and patient empowerment on diabetes self-care behaviour in patients in metropolitan Turkish diabetes centres. The conceptual background is provided by...

Glycaemic control status among type 2 diabetic patients and the role of their diabetes coping behaviours: a clinic-based study in Tripoli, Libya

BackgroundAchieving good glycaemic control is important in diabetes management. However, poor glycaemic control is widely reported. This article assessed the prevalence of uncontrolled and poor glycaemic control among Libyans with type 2 diabetes and examined the relative contribution of diabetes coping behaviours to their glycaemic control status.MethodsA cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2013 in a large diabetes centre in Tripoli. The study included 523 respondents. Diabetes coping behaviours were measured using the revised version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities measure (SDSCA) and the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8©), while glycaemic control status was based on the HbA1c level.ResultsMean HbA1c was 8.9 (±2.1), and of the 523 patients, only 114 (21.8%) attained the glycaemic control target of HbAc1 of less than 7.0%. Females (OR=1.74, 95% CI=1.03–2.91), patients on insulin and oral hypoglycaemic agents (OR=1.92, 95% CI=1.05–3.54), patients on insulin (OR=3.14, 95% CI=1.66–6.03), and low-medication adherents (OR=2.25, 95% CI=1.36–3.73) were more likely to have uncontrolled and poor glycaemic control, while exercise contributed to glycaemic control status as a protective factor (OR=0.85, 95% CI=0.77–0.94).ConclusionThe findings from this study showed the considerable burden of uncontrolled and poor glycaemic control in one of the largest diabetes care settings in Libya. Medication adherence as well as exercise promotion programs would help in reducing the magnitude of poor glycaemic control.

Adaptación cultural al español y validación psicométrica del Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities measure (SDSCA) en personas con diabetes mellitus tipo 2

ObjectiveTo undertake the cultural adaptation and the psychometric assessment of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities measure (SDSCA) in Spanish population with type 2 diabetes mellitus. DesignClinimetric validation study. SettingPrimary health care centers of District Malaga and Valle del Guadalhorce. ParticipantsThree hundred thirty-one persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Main measurementsThe SDSCA validated in mexican population was subjected to semantic and content equivalence using a Delphi method, its legibility was determined by INFLESZ scale. Subsequently psychometric validation was conducted through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (herein after EFA and CFA), internal consistency, test-retest reliability and discriminant validity. ResultsTwo rounds were needed to achieve the consensus in between the panel members. Then, the index provided a good readability. The EFA suggested a model with 3 factors (diet, exercise and self-analysis) with 7 items which explained 79.16% variance. The results of CFA showed a good fit of SDSCA-Sp. The Internal consistency was moderate to low (α-Cronbach =0.62) and test-retest reliability was evaluated in 198 patients (t=0.462-0.796, p<0.001) with a total correlation of 0.764 (p< 0.0001). ConclusionsThe SDSCA-Sp is used, in a valid way to assess self-care in type 2 DM version in clinical practice and research with similar clinimetric properties to previous studies.

The Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ): development and evaluation of an instrument to assess diabetes self-care activities associated with glycaemic control

BackgroundThough several questionnaires on self-care and regimen adherence have been introduced, the evaluations do not always report consistent and substantial correlations with measures of glycaemic control. Small ability to explain variance in HbA1c constitutes a significant limitation of an instrument’s use for scientific purposes as well as clinical practice. In order to assess self-care activities which can predict glycaemic control, the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ) was designed.MethodsA 16 item questionnaire to assess self-care activities associated with glycaemic control was developed, based on theoretical considerations and a process of empirical improvements. Four subscales, ‘Glucose Management’ (GM), ‘Dietary Control’ (DC), ‘Physical Activity’ (PA), and ‘Health-Care Use’ (HU), as well as a ‘Sum Scale’ (SS) as a global measure of self-care were derived. To evaluate its psychometric quality, 261 patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes were assessed with the DSMQ and an established analogous scale, the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure (SDSCA). The DSMQ’s item and scale characteristics as well as factorial and convergent validity were analysed, and its convergence with HbA1c was compared to the SDSCA.ResultsThe items showed appropriate characteristics (mean item-total-correlation: 0.46 ± 0.12; mean correlation with HbA1c: -0.23 ± 0.09). Overall internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) was good (0.84), consistencies of the subscales were acceptable (GM: 0.77; DC: 0.77; PA: 0.76; HU: 0.60). Principal component analysis indicated a four factor structure and confirmed the designed scale structure. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated appropriate fit of the four factor model. The DSMQ scales showed significant convergent correlations with their parallel SDSCA scales (GM: 0.57; DC: 0.52; PA: 0.58; HU: n/a; SS: 0.57) and HbA1c (GM: -0.39; DC: -0.30; PA: -0.15; HU: -0.22; SS: -0.40). All correlations with HbA1c were significantly stronger than those obtained with the SDSCA.ConclusionsThis study provides preliminary evidence that the DSMQ is a reliable and valid instrument and enables an efficient assessment of self-care behaviours associated with glycaemic control. The questionnaire should be valuable for scientific analyses as well as clinical use in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients.

The summary of diabetes self-care activities measure: results from 7 studies and a revised scale.

To review reliability, validity, and normative data from 7 different studies, involving a total of 1,988 people with diabetes, and provide a revised version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) measure. The SDSCA measure is a brief self-report questionnaire of diabetes self-management that includes items assessing the following aspects of the diabetes regimen: general diet, specific diet, exercise, blood-glucose testing, foot care, and smoking. Normative data (means and SD), inter-item and test-retest reliability, correlations between the SDSCA subscales and a range of criterion measures, and sensitivity to change scores are presented for the 7 different studies (5 randomized interventions and 2 observational studies). Participants were typically older patients, having type 2 diabetes for a number of years, with a slight preponderance of women. The average inter-item correlations within scales were high (mean = 0.47), with the exception of specific diet; test-retest correlations were moderate (mean = 0.40). Correlations with other measures of diet and exercise generally supported the validity of the SDSCA subscales (mean = 0.23). There are numerous benefits from standardization of measures across studies. The SDSCA questionnaire is a brief yet reliable and valid self-report measure of diabetes self-management that is useful both for research and practice. The revised version and its scoring are presented, and the inclusion of this measure in studies of diabetes self-management is recommended when appropriate.