Analysis of treatment satisfaction among patients with type 2 diabetes

Introduction: Treatment of diabetes is complex and includes lifestyle intervention and pharmacological management. Treatment satisfaction is a significant factor in improving health care. Special importance is given to diabetes because of its need for lifelong therapy. Aim: To determine the influence of certain socio-demographic and clinical factors on treatment satisfaction of patients with type 2 diabetes. Material and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 40 consecutive outpatients. Data was collected through two questionnaires. The first questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic and clinical data. The second one was a standardized Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQs). Results: Of the studied patients, the majority were women (52,5%), patients in their sixties (55%), patients who only finished high school (55%), patients who were using insulin and OAD (50%), as well as patients who have developed chronic diabetic complications (80%). It was observed that treatment satisfaction among patients who have had diabetes for longer than twenty years was significantly lower than among those who have been treated for diabetes for less than ten years (4,30 ± 0,77 vs. 4,99 ± 0,63, p = 0,046). Patients who were taking tablets were significantly more satisfied with treatment (5,35 ± 0,38, p ˂ 0,001). Patients without any diabetic complication were significantly more satisfied with the treatment than those who have developed at least one diabetic complication (5,19 ± 0,87 vs. 4,59 ± 0,57, p = 0,023). Multiple regression analysis revealed that elementary education(p = 0,037), insulin (p ˂ 0,001) and any diabetic complication (p = 0,007) were independently associated with lower treatment satisfaction. Conclusion: Using DTSQ we noticed important socio-demographic and clinical factors that influence the satisfaction with the current therapy. Low educational level, insulin, having any diabetic complication and diabetes duration were associated with lower treatment satisfaction. Having identified this vulnerable group, we must place emphasis on the need of providing additional attention and assistance to these patients, in order to improve their health and clinical outcome