ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to analyze patients knowledge about therapeutic goals for diabetic patients and factors associated with good knowledge. A total of 266 diabetic patients were randomly selected from 6 diabetes clinics in Kuwait to be included in a cross-sectional patient survey. Data were collected via face-to-face structured interviews using a pretested questionnaire. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis was used in data analysis. The response rate was 93% [n = 247]. The percentages [95% confidence interval [Cl]] of patients who reported knowing their recent levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], blood pressure [BP], and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbAlc] were 5% [2-8], 54% [48-60], and 8% [5-11], respectively. The percentages [95% Cl] of patients who admitted knowing the target goals for LDL-C, BP, HbAlc, fasting, and postprandial blood glucose levels were 3% [1-6], 49% [43-55], 6% [3-9], 62% [56-68] and 55% [49-61], respectively. Correct target goals for LDL-C, BP, HbAlc, fasting, and postprandial blood glucose levels were reported by 2% [1-4], 43% [37-49], 5% [2-8], 60% [54-66], and 47% [1-53], respectively. Those with a high education [OR = 4.76; 95% Cl 2.34-9.68] and those with a family history of diabetes [OR = 3.05; 95% Cl 1.50-6.19] had good knowledge about correct targets. The current findings revealed that lack of knowledge about recent levels of BP, LDL-C and HbAlc and therapeutic goals was alarmingly high, which highlights the need for the implementation of an effective multidisci-plinary team approach to encourage patient education and Self-Care