KNOWLEDGE OF DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS

Authors

  • Fahim Ullah Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar
  • Ayesha Khan Afridi Department of Surgery, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar
  • Fawad Rahim Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar
  • Muhammad Ashfaq Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar
  • Sheema Khan Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar
  • Ghulam Shabbier Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar
  • Sadiq ur Rahman Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has risen exponentially over the last three decades, with resultant increase in morbidity and mortality mainly due to its complications. Limited data is available regarding the awareness and knowledge about these complications in our population. This study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge of diabetic complications in patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Medical B Unit of Department of Medicine Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. All admitted diabetic patients above 15 years of age with duration of diabetes mellitus more than one year were included. Results: Out of the 96 patients questioned, 58 were females and 38 were males. Mean age was 53.29±10.821 years while the mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 9.75±7.729 years. Of the total 76 (79.1%) of the patients were illiterate; 36 (37.50%) had good, 24 (25%) had average and 36 (37.50%) had poor knowledge about diabetic complications. Males and university graduate patients had slightly better knowledge. Between 50–60% patients were aware of different cardiac complications of diabetes mellitus. Awareness regarding other complications was foot ulcer/gangrene 70 (72.91%), poor wound healing 68 (70.83%), stroke 54 (56.25%), renal diseases 64 (66.66%), eye diseases 53 (55.20%), gastroparesis and other gastrointestinal problems 45 (46.87%), diabetic ketoacidosis 55 (57.29%), hypoglycaemia 50 (52.08%), lipid abnormalities 26 (27.08%) and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy ranging from 47–65%. Conclusions: Majority of diabetic patients are unaware of diabetic complications. Therefore, hospital and community based awareness programs should be launched to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes mellitus.Keywords: diabetes mellitus, awareness, complications

References

International Diabetes Federation Press release Karachi, Pakistan-26 February 2006 - Diabetes kills without distinction. (Online) 2009 (Cited 2007 June 15). Available from URL: http://www.idf.org/home/index.cfm?unode=DE93DC2D- 468B-4C75-91DA-69314504BD0E

Powers AC. Diabetes mellitus. In: Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Longo DL, Braunwald E, Hauser SL, Jameson JL, et al, editors. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York: The McGraw-Hill; 2008; p.2276–92.

Shaw JE, Sicree RA, Zimmet PZ. Global estimates of the prevalence of diabetes for 2010 and 2030. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2010; 87(1):4–14.

Basit A, Williams R. Promoting care in underserved communities: launching World Diabetes Day in Karachi. Diabetes Voice 2006;51(2):46–7.

Shera AS, Rafique G, Khuwaja IA, Baqai S, Khan IA, King H. Pakistan National Diabetes Survey. Prevalence of glucose intolerance and associated factors in North West at Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan. J Pak Med Assoc 1999;49(9):206–11.

Shera AS, Rafique G, Khuwaja IA, Baqai S, King H. Pakistan National Diabetes Survey. Prevalence of glucose intolerance and associated factors in Baluchistan province. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 1999; 44(1):49–58.

Frier BM, Fisher M. Diabetes Mellitus. In: Colledge NR, Walker BR, Ralston SH, editors. Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine. 21st edn. Edinburg: Churchill Livingstone 2010; p.795–834. 2010.

Buse JB, Ginsberg HN, Bakris GL, Clark NG, Costa F, Eckel R, et al. Primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in people with diabetes mellitus: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care 2007;30(6):162–72.

Nathan DM, Cleary PA, Backlund JY, Genuth SM, Lachin JM, Orchard TJ, et al. Intensive diabetes treatment and cardiovascular disease in patients with type 1 diabetes. N Engl J Med 2005;353(25):2643–53.

The effect of intensive diabetes therapy on the development and progression of neuropathy. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group". Ann Intern Med 1995;122(8):561–8.

Gulabani M, John M, Isaac R. Knowledge of Diabetes, its Treatment and Complications Among Diabetic Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital. Indian J Community Med 2008; 33(3):204–6.

Muninarayana C, Balachandra G, Hiremath SG, Iyengar K, Anil NS. Prevalence and awareness regarding diabetes mellitus in rural Tamaka, Kolar. Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries. 2010;30(1):18–21.

Kiberenge MW, Ndegwa ZM, Njenga EW, Muchemi EW. Knowledge, attitude and practices related to diabetes among community members in four provinces in Kenya: a cross-sectional study. Pan Afr Med J 2010;7:2.

Mwangi MW, Githinj GG, Githinji FW. Knowledge and Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy amongst Diabetic Patients in Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. Int J Humanit Soc Sci 2011;1(21):140–6.

Eldarrat AH. Diabetic patients: their knowledge and perception of oral health. Libyan J Med 2011;9:6.

Odili VU, Eke I. Knowledge of Diabetes mellitus among Registered Nurses in Benin City. Int J Health Res 2010;3(3):145–52.

Vishwanathan V, Shobhana R, Snehalatha C, Seena R, Ramachandran A. Need for education on foot care in diabetic patients in India. J Assoc Physicians India 1999;47:1083–5.

Published

2015-06-20

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>