Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the assessment of therapy of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients, as well as their self-care behaviors, and clarify how these are related to glycemic control.
Materials and Methods: A questionnaire on the assessment of diabetes treatment and self-care behaviors was completed by 138 outpatients with T2D treated with glucose-lowering agents. Stepwise multiple regression was employed to determine which variables in self-care behaviors affected assessment of diabetes therapy and level of Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).
Results: The overall assessment of diabetes therapy was positively correlated with HbA1c level (ρ = .353). The assessment of nutrition (β = .250) and pharmacologic therapies (β = .513) were significant predictors of overall assessment, though exercise therapy did not. Individual self-care behaviors other than medication adherence affected assessment of nutrition therapy, exercise therapy, and pharmacologic therapy. Furthermore, assessment of nutrition therapy was a significant predictor of HbA1c level. In addition, it was found that T2D patients treated with thiazolidinedione’s performed more exercise per day than those without.
Conclusion: This study has revealed what care providers should focus on in order to improve glycemic control. The medical interview of assessment and self-care behaviors related to nutrition therapy might be helpful for judging glycemic control. The medical interview of assessment and self-care behaviors related to exercise therapy and the interview of medication adherence might not be helpful for judging glycemic control.
Assessment of therapy; Glycemic control; Patient-reported outcome; Self-care behaviors; Type 2 diabetes.