Factors affecting self‐care activities,postprandial plasma glucose and HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes

Adherence to diabetes self‐care activities can reduce the risk of developing complications Results from this study of type 2 diabetic patients attending a hospital outpatient clinic indicated that 82 per cent of the patients had poor diet behaviour and 52 per cent of the patients had poor exercise behaviour High haemaglobin A1c levels or high postprandial blood glucose levels were associated with younger age, more days with a high fat diet, lower general education, higher number of diabetes medications, increased concerns about medications and increased barriers to diet and exercise Patients exhibiting these features should be targeted for disease management interventions     

The use of sublingual glyceryl trinitrate and aspirin in angina patients and enhancement of coronary heart disease databases

□ Audit involving 95 per cent of community pharmacists in one LHCC □ Data were gathered using a semi‐structured questionnaire □ A list of all participating patients was sent to each GP surgery in the locality to enhance their CHD database □ Not all appropriate angina patients are receiving aspirin □ Patients' knowledge of GTN management was poor and should be improved upon by input from healthcare professionals     

Smoking status and psychosocial variables in type 1 diabetes mellitus

While depression, anxiety, and negative affect are associated with smoking and smoking cessation outcomes in healthy individuals, these associations have not been established in smokers with chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, a condition which greatly increases cardiovascular disease risk. Other psychosocial variables such as stress and locus of control may also be associated with smoking but are seldom reported. We examined stress, affect, and locus of control by smoking status in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Results indicated that current smokers reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress, a more negative affect, and higher powerful others locus of control compared with nonsmokers. These findings indicate that those patients who have diabetes and who smoke are at greater risk for depressive symptoms. This knowledge may aid clinicians in their attempts to help these patients quit smoking.     

Patients' perspectives on medicines and pharmacy: views of patients with Type 2 diabetes

□ The study was conducted to inform the design of pharmaceutical care support to patients with Type 2 diabetes – a recognised health care priority and a target for new pharmacy initiatives □ Interviews in an outpatient clinic revealed an apparent lack of patient‐pharmacist communication and low patient expectations □ Some patients felt a lack of feedback about the results of clinic checks and what they meant for disease control □ Patient information leaflets were not consistently seen as meeting patients' needs for information and advice □ Patients' experiences can be used to develop the role of community pharmacy services within the health care team effort     

Knowledge and practice of foot self-care among patients with diabetes attending primary healthcare centres in Kuwait: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus is a major public health issue and is the main cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. At the time of diagnosis, many patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have one or two risk factors for diabetic foot diseases, such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Patients can overcome such complications through good knowledge and practice of foot self-care. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and practice of foot care among patients with diabetes mellitus attending primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in Kuwait and to identify those at risk for developing DPN.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions on demographic characteristics and patients’ knowledge and practices of foot care. Adult patients (aged 21 and above) with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus for at least 1 year were randomly selected from PHCs located in the five governorates of Kuwait. Data were analysed using SPSS, version 26.ResultsA total of 357 patients participated in this study, giving a response rate of 87.3%. The overall mean knowledge score of foot care was 12.7 ± 2.7 (equals 81.3%). Most patients (n = 283, 79.3%) showed good knowledge. In comparison, less than one-third of patients (n = 110, 30.8%) practiced good foot care. The overall mean score of patients’ practices was 55.7 ± 9.2 (equals 64.0%). Approximately 17.4% of the patients had a higher risk of developing DPN. University students had lower odds of having good knowledge about foot care [OR: 0.19 (95%CI: 0.04–0.86)]. On the other hand, patients who reported having diabetes for a long duration (10 years and above) [OR: 1.88 (95%CI: 1.11–3.18)] and patients who did not have any other comorbidities [OR: 0.49 (95%CI: 0.26–0.90)] had higher odds of having good foot care knowledge. Patients who were on oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHAs) only had lower odds [OR: 0.63 (95%CI: 0.39–1.00)] of practicing good foot care. Patients who reported having diabetes for a duration between 5 to less than 10 years [OR: 1.75 (95%CI: 1.06–2.90)] and those who are on a diet only [OR: 1.76 (95%CI: 1.06–2.94)] had higher odds of practicing good foot care. Patients who were using combination therapy with OHAs and insulin had a higher risk [OR: 2.67 (95%CI: 1.11–6.41)] of developing DPN. On the other hand, patients who reported that they did not have a previous history of foot ulcer had a lower risk of developing DPN [OR: 0.21 (95%CI: 0.09–0.47)].ConclusionThe knowledge of patients with diabetes regarding foot care is rated as good, while their self-practice is considered satisfactory. To improve the foot care knowledge and self-care practice of patients, healthcare providers (HCPs) need to support patients through educational programmes and appropriate training.     

Satisfaction with information and its relationship with adherence in patients with chronic pain

□ Due to the nature of chronic pain it would be expected that patients are highly adherent to their pain medication. However, results from this study have shown that 23 per cent of patients often or always avoid using their pain medication, 13.4 per cent often or always alter dosages, and 10.3 per cent often or always stop taking their medication for a while. This suggests intentional non‐adherence to pain medication □ Less than 50 per cent of respondents were satisfied with information provided on side effects, what to do if side effects occur, and possible interactions with other medication □ Patients' satisfaction with information about their medication was related to self‐reported adherence; greater satisfaction was associated with higher self‐reported adherence     

Identification of psychosocial factors which influence patient adherence with antihypertensive medication

□ It is estimated that only 50 per cent of hypertensive patients adhere to medication regimens □ In this study evaluation of self‐efficacy and the theory of planned behaviour was used to identify psychosocial factors which impact on patient adherence to antihypertensives □ High self‐efficacy, intentions to comply with the medication regimen, possessing a positive attitude towards taking medication, perceiving pressure from significant others to take medication as prescribed, and perceiving control over taking medication were determinants of good adherence □ The successful identification of factors which influence adherence will allow health‐care providers to implement interventions, aimed at enhancing adherence with antihypertensive medication.     

Preliminary investigation of the problems associated with supply of palliative care medicines in primary care

□ Fax‐back was a cost effective method for administration of a self‐completion questionnaire which produced a high (76 per cent) response rate □ Problems with supply of palliative care medicines were reported by 58.5 per cent of health authorities responding to the survey □ Supply of medicines out of hours was the most common problem reported (93 per cent), with stock levels held in pharmacies and problems with specialist medicines also causing problems in over 50 per cent of respondents □ Some health authorities reported that protocols for supply of palliative medicines, or the existence of designated community pharmacies for their provision, reduced the problems reported □ Further research into effectiveness of protocols and designated palliative care pharmacies is indicated, and our study has identified those health authorities where such research could be targeted     

糖尿病管理中心对社区糖尿病患者血糖及相关知识行为的影响

目的：探讨糖尿病管理中心对社区糖尿病患者血糖及相关知识行为的影响。方法建立糖尿病社区管理中心,对正阳社区210例老年糖尿病患者进行综合管理,观察干预前后患者糖尿病相关知识掌握情况、生活方式改变情况及技能掌握情况、生化指标等的变化。结果干预后患者糖尿病相关知识掌握情况明显高于干预前,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）;干预后糖尿病患者行为改变率及技能合格率明显高于干预前,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）;干预后患者的FBG、P2hBG及HbAlc较干预前有明显下降,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）。结论建立糖尿病管理中心是提高糖尿病患者疾病控制能力的有效途径。     

Evaluation of educational needs in patients with diabetes mellitus in respect of medication use in Austria

Background Effective control of diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2) can reduce the development and progression of diabetic complications. Therefore, patient education should be considered as an integral part of diabetes management. Objective The aim of the study was to assess DM patients?? perception of knowledge for their medication and attitude towards self-management and pharmacist??s role. Setting The study was conducted at the diabetes out-patient clinic at the Vienna General Hospital (AKH), Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine III, Austria. Method The study was a cross sectional survey using patient data from a validated patient questionnaire and medical records. Medical records were evaluated by applying a medication assessment tool. Main outcome measure To assess the quality of diabetes self management the following outcome measures are considered: HbA1c levels, pre- and post-prandial blood glucose levels, prevention of acute episodes of hypo- and hyperglycaemia, reduction of macrovascular risk factors, short term quality of life, adverse effects and treatment tolerance. Results The present study comprised 225 patients with DM1 and 201 patients with DM2, respectively. In comparison to DM2 patients, cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases were diagnosed very rarely in patients with DM1. The risk for these diseases was higher in patients with other factors of the metabolic syndrome, in addition. Overall, 118 of these patients participated in the questionnaire. The level of positive response on diabetes self-care and knowledge with respect to medication for the prevention of diabetes complications, glycaemic control, and treatment goals in diabetes was 81.8?%. The comparison of patients?? perceptions of diabetes self-care and knowledge showed differences among subgroups. Higher perceived knowledge and self-care apparently was associated with DM1. Additional findings of this study indicate that patients do not expect community pharmacists to be integrated in a multidisciplinary diabetes care team. Conclusion Although the level of positive response was found to be high there is still a minority of patients whose level of comprehension appears to be insufficient. Intense pharmaceutical care including patients?? education within a multidisciplinary team could contribute to improvements in those patients.     

糖尿病患者主动参与健康教育的效果研究

目的 探讨参与式健康教育在社区糖尿病管理中的应用效果.方法 抽取辖区内260名糖尿病患者,随机将他们分为两组(干预组与对照组),干预组实行参与式健康教育管理,对照组实行慢性病常规管理,两组管理前均进行糖尿病相关知识、自我管理能力及态度问卷调查,管理一年后两组再次进行相同问卷调查,并将结果进行评价分析.结果 干预组各项指标均优于对照组.结论 参与式健康教育能很好的普及糖尿病医学常识,提高糖尿病患者自我管理能力,减少了并发症的发生,提高了生活质量.     

Medianes management and the individual patient

□ For medicines management to fulfil its aim of partnership with patients, the individual patient's perspective needs to be examined □ Study uses discursive analysis of in depth interviews of hypertensive patients to highlight individual patients' experience of hypertension □ Findings suggest that patients may consider condition and care differently than health care professional □ Evaluation of medication may not be completely explained by the clinical paradigm of risk/benefit □ Concordance may be more difficult to achieve in the early stages of treatment.     

社区糖尿病患者综合管理及效果分析

目的：探讨社区管理和综合干预对糖尿病患者血糖控制及并发症的影响效果,为社区卫生服务中心开展糖尿病管理提供客观有效的依据。方法：将本社区确诊为2型糖尿病的患者200例随机分成综合管理组和常规组各100例,对综合管理组实施3年的糖尿病综合管理及治疗,常规组自行到社区卫生室或医院就诊,比较两组患者的糖尿病知识、行为的变化及空腹血糖、餐后2h血糖、糖化血红蛋白及并发症的控制情况。结果：综合管理组患者的空腹及餐后2h血糖、糖化血红蛋白水平及并发症发生率明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：社区糖尿病患者的综合管理,对患者的糖尿病知识和行为的变化、社区糖尿病患者血糖的控制、延缓或避免并发症的发生、提升患者生活质量及延长患者的寿命是非常必要的。     

营养支持及护理干预对糖尿病合并心血管疾病患者生存质量的影响

目的：研究营养支持及护理干预对糖尿病合并心血管疾病患者生存质量的影响。方法将130例糖尿病合并心血管疾病患者纳入研究,随机分为给予营养支持、血糖、血压控制综合护理干预的观察组和仅给予常规护理干预的对照组,观察自我护理能力以及生存质量。结果观察组患者的健康知识、自我概念、自护责任感、自我护理技能、自我护理能力总评分、躯体、心理、社会、认知功能及生活总质量评分均高于对照组;FBG、PBG、HbA1c、LDL-C、TG、TC均明显低于对照组。结论营养支持及护理干预有助于提高自我护理能力、改善患者的生存质量,在糖尿病合并心血管疾病患者中具有积极的临床应用价值。     

Compliance and adherence as pragmatic concepts: a study of TB in rural Pakistan

□ Urine tests highlight fewer non‐compliant tuberculosis (TB) patients than do tablet counts □ Face‐to‐face interview techniques are of limited use for the purposes of investigating adherence and compliance issues □ Clinic attendance would need to have been measured for a much greater time duration to reflect compliance □ DOTS (directly observed treatment – short course) and combination formulations seem to improve compliance □ Patients who default or die while being treated have better attendance rates than those discharged (cured, resistant or sick)     

Professional integration within health centre pharmacies

□ The National Health Service plan proposes 500 new one‐stop centres to include pharmacy □ Little is known about current activities in health centre pharmacies □ A self‐completion survey of a sample of identifiable health centre pharmacies has been carried out □ There is some evidence of integration of pharmacists within the practice team □ Increased integration will require proactive external input     

Concordance in Muslim patients in primary care

□ The study examined the perceptions of Muslim patients and general practitioners (GPs) about ways in which the Muslim faith may influence medicine concordance □ Fifty Muslim patients (100 per cent response) and 18 general practitioners (53 per cent response) were surveyed using self‐completion questionnaires in order to determine attitudes towards dietary requirements and medicines □ A large proportion of the Muslim patients sampled stated that they would stop taking a medicine if they found out that it was not halaal □ Pharmaceutical manufacturers also need to be sensitive towards the requirements of Muslim patients □ In specific cases, doctors should seek guidance from Islamic leaders as to the correct interpretation of Islamic law with regard to the use of medicines considered haraam