The Family Knowledge about the Disease and Complications Risk among Diabetic Patients-in Poland

Abstract

Taking care of diabetic patients involves a family which is perceived as an environment, whose support is a factor that best forecasts implementation of required recommendations for diabetes care. The ability of family to support patients' effort can improve diabetes care results. The aim of this work is to indicate how family knowledge about the disease diversifies a medical condition and complications risk among diabetic patients. Research has been carried out within the scope of NCSR grant no. 6P05D02320, under the leadership of the work's author, among 1366 families/ caregivers of diabetic patients randomly chosen from 61 primary healthcare centres in Poland. For the purpose of this work, the research has been carried out based on: anonymous questionnaires among patients' families/caregivers, analysis of medical records. Results:The majority of families supporting the patient have no knowledge about the disease (56.2%). Among families with higher (moderate) knowledge level a statistical analysis demonstrated that the patient takes more care about oral hygiene (p<0.00001), participates in self-control (p<0.00001) and self-monitoring (p<0.05), is more efficient and independent (p<0.00001), have no somatic (p<0.005) or psycho-emotional health complains (p<0.005) or additional medical conditions (p<0.005) and his/her weight (p<0.0005) blood pressure (p<0.005) and triglycerides level (p<0.05) are in the normal range.

Blood glucose level testing in Poland – do socio-economic factors influence its frequency? A nationwide cross-sectional survey

“…The respondents' levels of knowledge varied significantly due to their personal experience of being a diabetic or having a diabetic person in the family. These results correspond with the results of other studies aimed at assessing the awareness of diabetes-related issues among different patient groups [32,33] and in the general population [34,17] in Poland.…”

Knowledge of Household Contacts of Diabetic Patients about the Disease

“…Some other studies carried out in South Africa [13], Ethiopia [14] and Kenya [15] indicated that diabetic patients and their family members lack sufficient knowledge on diabetes and its management. Furthermore, in a study carried out in Poland [16], more than half (56%) of family member caregivers' had no knowledge about diabetes risk factors and complications. In another study carried out in Ethiopia [17], it was observed that 78.3% of primary and secondary diabetic patient's family members had good level of knowledge about diabetes and its prevention and this was almost 3-folded that of control group.…”

“…Knowledgeable family members/caregivers of diabetic patients usually express more care for their patients and consequently better control and less complications. In a study carried out in Poland, Abramczyk observed that diabetic patients of more knowledgeable family members/caregivers showed more care regarding oral hygiene, self-care, selfmanagement, in addition, they had no somatic or psychoemotional complaints, no additional medical problems and their weight, blood pressure, and triglycerides were normal [16], However, in a systematic review carried out by Baig et al, they cannot determine how family members participation in diabetes management can affect patient's clinical outcomes [10].…”

“…A cross-sectional analytic design was conducted in Buraidah city, which is the capital of Al-Qassim Region, North central Saudi Arabia. It has a population of 614,093, according to 2020 estimated census [11], [16]. The study was carried out specifically at Buraidah diabetic center, Ministry of Health, which includes more than 60 clinics/week (Type 1, Type 2, gestational, insulin pump, medication consultation, endocrinology, health education, nutrition, diabetic foot, and retinopathy).…”

New Algorithms for Genome Characterization, Epigenetic Profiling Analysis, Data Mining and Population-based Studies

“…Last-but-not least, the final 2 papers in this issue of the Journal have direct relevance to patient care in families and clinics. In her paper 'The Family Knowledge about the Disease and Complications Risk among Diabetic Patients-in Poland' , A. Abramczyk summarizes results from the analysis of 1366 questionnaires from families/ caregivers of diabetic patients randomly chosen from 61 primary healthcare centers in Poland [9]. The high significant results demonstrate that family knowledge about the disease is a significant factor that diversifies a medical condition of diabetic patients and a higher level of knowledge among family members about the disease improves patients' medical condition and reduces the risk of diabetes complications.…”