Anne L van Puffelen1, Monique J W M Heijmans1, Mieke Rijken1, Guy E H M Rutten2, Giel Nijpels3, François G Schellevis1,3. 1. a NIVEL, The Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research , Utrecht , The Netherlands. 2. b Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care , University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , The Netherlands. 3. c Department of General Practice & Elderly Care Medicine , EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess illness perceptions, self-care behaviours and their relationship in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with and without diabetes-related complications. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey among 192 recently diagnosed T2DM patients of whom 23% reported the presence of diabetes-related complications. Illness perceptions and self-care were assessed by the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) and the revised Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) measure. RESULTS: Generally, participating patients perceived T2DM as a chronic, but relatively controllable condition with minor consequences. In the presence of complications, however, T2DM was perceived as more unpredictable with more (serious) consequences and less controllable by self-care or medical treatment. Furthermore, engagement in exercise and foot care was reported more often by patients with complications. Self-care was related to certain illness perception dimensions, and interactions between perceptions and complications were found. CONCLUSION: T2DM patients in the first years of their illness are often recommended to make lifestyle changes in the absence of noticeable diabetes-related symptoms or complaints. As many T2DM patients do not seem to perceive their condition to be serious and postpone lifestyle changes until diabetes-related complications appear, a major challenge for professionals is to convince asymptomatic patients of the importance of self-care.
OBJECTIVE: To assess illness perceptions, self-care behaviours and their relationship in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with and without diabetes-related complications. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey among 192 recently diagnosed T2DM patients of whom 23% reported the presence of diabetes-related complications. Illness perceptions and self-care were assessed by the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) and the revised Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) measure. RESULTS: Generally, participating patients perceived T2DM as a chronic, but relatively controllable condition with minor consequences. In the presence of complications, however, T2DM was perceived as more unpredictable with more (serious) consequences and less controllable by self-care or medical treatment. Furthermore, engagement in exercise and foot care was reported more often by patients with complications. Self-care was related to certain illness perception dimensions, and interactions between perceptions and complications were found. CONCLUSION: T2DM patients in the first years of their illness are often recommended to make lifestyle changes in the absence of noticeable diabetes-related symptoms or complaints. As many T2DM patients do not seem to perceive their condition to be serious and postpone lifestyle changes until diabetes-related complications appear, a major challenge for professionals is to convince asymptomatic patients of the importance of self-care.
Entities:
Keywords:
complications; illness perceptions; self-care; type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Arlette E Hesselink; Guy E H Rutten; Sander M Slootmaker; Inge de Weerdt; Lieke G M Raaijmakers; Ruud Jonkers; Marloes K Martens; Henk J G Bilo Journal: BMC Fam Pract Date: 2015-12-22 Impact factor: 2.497