Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Complications and Its Association With Diet Knowledge and Skills and Self-Care Barriers in Tabriz, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study Publisher



Jalilian H^{1, 2} ; Javanshir E³ ; Torkzadeh L⁴ ; Fehresti S⁵ ; Mir N⁶ ; Heidarijamebozorgi M⁷ ; Heydari S²
Source: Health Science Reports Published:2023

Abstract

Background and Aims: Diabetes can lead to multiple complications that can reduce the quality of life, impose additional costs on the healthcare systems and ultimately lead to premature death. Proper self-care in diabetic patients can impede or delay the onset of diabetes complications. This study aimed to investigate diabetes complications and their association with diet knowledge, skills, and self-care barriers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 1139 patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) referring to health centers in Tabriz, Iran, were included from January to July 2019. Data were collected using two questionnaires: (1) a sociodemographic questionnaire and (2) a Personal Diabetes Questionnaire (PDQ). Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22. χ2 test was used to examine the association between the socioeconomic and disease-related variables and the prevalence of diabetes complications. T-test was used to examine the association between diet knowledge and skills, self-care barriers, and the incidence of diabetes complications. Results: In this study, 76.1% of patients had at least one complication, and 30.2% had a history of hospitalization due to diabetes complications during the past year. Approximately 49% and 43% were diagnosed with high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia, respectively. Cardiovascular disease was the most common diabetes complication (15.9%) and the cause of hospitalization (11.01%) in patients with diabetes. Barriers to diet adherence, blood glucose monitoring, and exercise were significantly associated with self-reported diabetes complications (p < 0.001). Our results showed no significant association between the number of complications and diet knowledge and skills (p = 0.44). Conclusion: This study indicated that the prevalence of diabetes complications was higher among patients with more barriers to self-care. In light of these findings, taking appropriate measures to reduce barriers to self-care can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes complications. © 2023 The Authors. Health Science Reports published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.