Good vs. Poor Self-rated Diabetes Control: Differences in Cardiovascular Risk and Self-care Activities

• Published in: Experimental and clinical endocrinology & diabetes Vol. 226; no. 4; pp. 236 - 239
• Main Authors: Smith, K. J., Rabasa-Lhoret, R., Strychar, I., Karelis, A. D., Clyde, M., Levasseur, J., Pinaroc, C., Pedneault, M., Schmitz, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Stuttgart · New York J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG 01.04.2014
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Blood Pressure - physiology; Body Mass Index; Cardiovascular Diseases - blood; Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Cholesterol - blood; Diabetes Mellitus - blood; Diabetes Mellitus - physiopathology; Diabetes Mellitus - prevention & control; Female; Glycated Hemoglobin A - metabolism; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Self Care - methods; Self Care - standards; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; blood pressure; cholesterol; diabetes; HbA1c; self-care
• ISSN: 0947-7349; 1439-3646
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1367005

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to assess differences in cardiovascular risk and performance of self-care activities in people who rated their diabetes control as good or poor. Methods: A sub-sample of 77 participants who took part in the Evaluation of Diabetes Treatment telephone interview were invited into a clinic to complete a series of laboratory examinations. Self-rated diabetes control was validated using the following laboratory markers: HbA1c, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio and LDL cholesterol. Differences in blood pressure and BMI were also assessed. Finally, all participants also completed the Summary of Self-Care activities questionnaire. Results: Those people who rated their diabetes control as fair or poor had a significantly higher BMI, HbA1c levels, total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio and systolic blood pressure. When asked about self-care activities in the past week, those people who reported their diabetes control was fair/poor had spent significantly fewer days following a general diet and exercising. Conclusions: People with poor self-rated diabetes control have unfavourable cardiovascular risk and decreased performance of self-care activities.