Evaluation of the awareness regarding Type 2 Diabetes, its management and adverse effects of the treatment among the patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) management requires not only continuous medical care but also risk reduction strategies to prevent complications. Improving patients’ knowledge and awareness about DM and diabetes-related complications (DRC) is crucial for the management of DM. Increased awareness about DM and DRC, which leads to an eagerness to follow-up diet plans, and lifestyle modifications would help us to establish patient-specific goals. In this study, we would like to determine the awareness levels of diabetic patients about DM, DM management and DRC.Methods: Total of 300 adult patients (179 female, 121 male) with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) were included in this study. The data was collected through a survey based on face-to-face interviews. Total Survey score (TSP) for each participant was calculated by taking 1 point for each correct answer and TSP interval was evaluated between 0-24 points.. Results: The score of women was higher than that of men (14.72±3.14 vs. 13.07±3.30, p lt;0.001). Patients who did not work were more aware (14.53±3.22 vs. 13.64±3.31, p = 0.019). No significant difference in terms of awareness was observed between low educated and high-educated participants. Patients who had insulin in their treatment combination, anti-hypertensive, and lipid-lowering drug user had significantly higher TSP scores. A significant correlation was observed in BMI, HC, DBP, and age of Diabetes with awareness. Conclusions: The mean awareness score of the patients who participated in our study was 14 points. Since the maximum score that can be obtained at the highest awareness level is 24, the awareness level of our patients can be evaluated as 58%. Considering the morbidity, mortality and economic costs associated with diabetes, it can be said that more attention should be paid to patient education in order to achieve higher treatment success