Current Status of Management in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at General Hospitals in South Korea

BACKGROUND: In Korea, the prevalence, complications, and mortality rate of diabetes are rapidly increasing. However, investigations on the actual condition of diabetes management are very limited due to lack of nation-wide research or multicenter study. Hence, we have minutely inquired the current status of diabetes management and achievement of glucose target goal in general hospital offering education program. That way, we are able to furnish data for policy making of diabetes education and draw up guideline which may allow us to reduce the morbidity and mortality of diabetes. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 2,610 patients with type 2 diabetes who visited the 13 general hospital in Seoul or Gyeonggi region from March 19 to May 29, 2013. General characteristics, associated diseases, complications, and management status were investigated. RESULTS: The mean age was 61.0+/-11.6 years, body mass index was 25.0+/-3.3 kg/m2, and family history of diabetes was 50.5%. The mean duration of diabetes was 10.7+/-7.9 years and 53% received education about diabetes. The prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia were 59.2% and 65.5%, respectively, and 18.3% of the subjects were accompanied by liver disease. Diabetic retinopathy appeared in 31.6%, nephropathy in 28.1%, and neuropathy in 19.9% of the subjects. The mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level was 7.3%+/-1.3% and the achieving rate based on Korean Diabetes Association guideline (HbA1c <6.5%) was 24.8%, blood pressure (130/80 mm Hg or less) was 49.4%, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (<100 mg/dL) was 63.6%. The reaching rate to the target level in four parameters (blood glucose, blood pressure, lipids, and body weight) was 7.8%. CONCLUSION: The blood glucose control rate was lower than other parameters, and the implementation rate of diabetes education was only 53%. Thus more appropriate glucose control and systematic diabetes education are imperative.

What is Needed for Early Detection of Diabetes Complications? / 임상당뇨병

Complications of diabetes can develop without any sign or symptom, and their progress could be slow. Because most complications cannot be completely cured, their prevention is very important. Appropriate monitoring of diabetes-related complications should include management of blood pressure and blood glucose, regular check-ups of the feet and eyes, and assessment of renal and cardiovascular function. It is very important to maintain quality of life for diabetes patients through the early detection and treatment of complications. For that, diabetic patients should check blood sugar levels and other signs and symptoms of complications by visiting the doctor's office regularly.

Effect of Diabetic Camp Program on the Depression, Self-Efficacy and Self-Esteem in Diabetic Children and Adolescent / 아동간호학회지

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of diabetic camp program on depression, self-efficacy and self-esteem of the juvenile diabetic patient who had participated with diabetic camp program at Seoul and Kyung In area from August 5 to August 9, 1995. Nursing staffs explained them how to respond to the questionnaire of depression. self-efficacy and self-esteem prior to beginning the program and following the program. The questionnaire of depression, self-efficacy and self-esteem was developed by both diabetes mellitus nurse specialist and pediatric nursing professors in reference with the previous research. Response items of the questions were structured as yes or no for the elementary school students and that of the questions were structured as 5 likert scale for the both middle and high school students. Paired t-test was used for the significance of the difference between values before and after the diabetic camp program. Depression decreased following the program, while self-esteem increased significantly following the program in elementary school students. There was no change in self-esteem, while self-efficacy increased significantly following the program in middle and high school students. Self-efficacy following the program was high as the frequency of exercise increased in the elementary school students. Self-efficacy prior to the program was high as the experience of diabetic education increased in the middle and high school students. Self-efficacy and self-esteem prior to the camp was highly correlated with that following the camp in middle and high school students. The result suggests that diabetic camp program could be on of ways to decrease depression and to increase self-efficacy of the diabetic children.