Knowledge about diabetes and its association with adherence to self-care and glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes in Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the association between knowledge about the disease, adherence to self-care, and glycemic control in people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study of patients aged over 18 years diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus, treated at an outpatient clinic of a Brazilian university hospital. Participants with other types of diabetes, cognitive impairment, pregnancy, and outpatient discharge were excluded. Data were collected from January to March 2021 (by telephone call), with questions about the participants' profile, diabetes knowledge questionnaire (DKN-A), and self-care inventory revised (SCI-R) translated into and adapted for Brazilian Portuguese. Data analysis involved chi-square associations, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Poisson regression. Results: Among 198 adult participants, the mean age was 42 ± 12 years, 53.5% were women, the mean glycated hemoglobin was 8.6 ± 1.6%, 140 (70.8%) had satisfactory knowledge about diabetes, 65 (32.8%) had adherence to self-care, and 46 (23.2%) had adequate glycemic control. We found an association between knowledge and adherence to self-care (p < 0.001). Knowledge was not associated with glycemic control (p = 0.705). Conclusion: Knowledge about diabetes was associated with greater adherence to self-care in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus, but it did not reflect in better glycemic control.

Association between obesity and hospitalization in mild COVID-19 adult outpatients in Brazil: a prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the association between obesity and hospitalization in mild COVID-19 adult outpatients in Brazil. Subjects and methods: Adults with signs and symptoms suggestive of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection who sought treatment in two hospital (public and private) emergency departments were prospectively enrolled. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 at inclusion were followed by phone calls at days D7, D14 and D28. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to explore the association between obesity and other potential predictors for hospitalization. Results: A total of 1,050 participants were screened, and 297 completed the 28-day follow-up and were diagnosed with COVID-19 by RT-PCR. The median age was 37.2 (IQR 29.7-44.6) years, and 179 (60.0%) were female. The duration of symptoms was 3.0 (IQR 2.0-5.0) days, and 10.0 (IQR 8.0-12.0) was the median number of symptoms at inclusion. Ninety-five (32.0%) individuals had obesity, and 233 (78.5%) had no previous medical conditions. Twenty-three participants (7.7%) required hospitalization during the follow-up period. After adjusting, obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) (OR = 2.69, 95% CI 1.63-4.83, P < 0.001) and older age (OR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.09, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher risks of hospitalization. Conclusion: Obesity, followed by aging, was the main factor associated with hospital admission for COVID-19 in a young population in a low-middle income country. Our findings highlighted the need to promote additional protection for individuals with obesity, such as vaccination, and to encourage lifestyle changes.

Precipitating factors of diabetic ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetes patients at a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study with a two-time-period comparison

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the precipitating factors of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients with type 1 diabetes hospitalized through the emergency department of a tertiary hospital. Materials and methods: Individuals with type 1 diabetes hospitalized for DKA from January 2005 to March 2010 (first period [P1], n = 75) and from April 2010 to January 2017 (second period [P2], n = 97) were identified through a query of electronic medical records. Data were collected by reviewing medical records. Only the first hospitalization of each participant in each period was included. Results: In P2, 44 patients (45.4%) were women, mean age was 26.2 ± 14.5 years, and 74 patients (76.3%) had a previous diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Only 1 patient had glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) below 64 mmol/mol (8.0%). Most patients (62.2%) had had a previous episode of DKA. In P1, non-adherence was the main cause of DKA (38.7%), followed by infection (24.0%). In P2, these rates were 34.0% and 24.7%, respectively; no statistical difference was observed between the two study periods (p = 0.790). Conclusion: Over time, non-adherence remained the main precipitating factor of DKA, followed by infection, and no significant difference was observed between the two study periods. Elevated HbA1c, outside the therapeutic range, indicates suboptimal diabetes care and may explain, at least in part, poor adherence as a precipitating factor of decompensation. Health strategies, such as improved self-management of type 1 diabetes, may contribute to a future reduction in DKA episodes.

Number of teeth lost on diet quality and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT Objectives: To describe the oral health profile and evaluate the impact of tooth loss on diet quality and glycemic control among 66 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) treated in an endocrinology outpatient clinic at a teaching hospital. Materials and methods: Questionnaires about diabetes self-care (SDSCA), masticatory ability, diet quality, anxiety level about dental treatment, and oral health were applied. Laboratory tests were retrieved from medical records or newly collected samples. Results: The presence of fewer than 21 teeth was associated with an unsatisfactory self-perceived masticatory ability (r = 0.44; p = 0.007). Most participants reported not having received guidance on oral health from their endocrinologists (81.8%) and having had the last visit to the dentist 2 years or more before the study (36.8%). The mean HbA1c level in the group with fewer than 21 teeth was comparable to that in the group with functional dentition (8.9 ± 1.5 and 8.7 ± 1.6%, respectively; p = 0.60). Conclusion: Adults with T2DM have a high prevalence of tooth loss and lack of information about oral hygiene care. Our results reinforce the need for more effective communication between medical and dental care teams.

Association between socioeconomic and nutritional factors and height of Brazilian adolescents: results from the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents / Associação entre fatores socioeconômicos e nutricionais e altura de adolescentes brasileiros: resultados do Estudo de Riscos Cardiovasculares em Adolescentes / Asociación entre los factores socioeconómicos y nutricionales y la estatura de los adolescentes brasileños: resultados del Estudio de Riesgo Cardiovascular en Adolescentes

This study aims to describe the mean height of adolescents from the five regions of Brazil and to evaluate socioeconomic and nutritional factors associated with normal growth. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the Brazilian urban and rural areas with students aged 12 to 17 years (n = 71,553). Anthropometry, socioeconomic variables, physical activity, and diet were evaluated. Height-for-age z-scores were calculated and multiple linear regression models were used to investigate the association of exposure variables with height (outcome) by sex and age (12-13, 14-15, and 16-17 years). We observed a lower mean height in adolescents from the North Region and in individuals with low socioeconomic status. At 17 years of age, the closest to the final height in this sample, mean heights for girls and boys were 160.9 ± 0.1cm and 173.7 ± 0.3cm, respectively. In multiple linear regression analysis, physical activity (girls β = 0.119, 95%CI: 0.035; 0.202; boys β = 0.092, 95%CI: 0.012; 0.172) and high level of maternal education (girls β = 0.103, 95%CI: 0.001; 0.204; boys β = 0.39, 95%CI: 0.245; 0.534) were positively associated with height-for-age z-score in 16- to 17-year-old boys and girls. Other factors positively associated with height-for-age z-score in older students include higher protein consumption (β = 0.022, 95%CI: 0.010; 0.035) and obesity (β = 0.217, 95%CI: 0.084; 0.350) for boys, and low weight (β = 0.205, 95%CI: 0.028, 0.382) for girls. We observed differences in the mean height among adolescents from the five Brazilian regions. Normal growth, especially among older adolescents, was associated with high maternal education, practice of physical activity, protein consumption, and body mass index (BMI) categories.

Buscou-se descrever a altura média dos adolescentes das cinco regiões do Brasil e avaliar os fatores socioeconômicos e nutricionais que estejam associados ao seu crescimento normal. Este é um estudo transversal realizado em ambientes urbanos e rurais no Brasil com estudantes de 12 a 17 anos (n = 71.553). Avaliamos antropometria, variáveis socioeconômicas, atividade física e dieta. Calculou-se os escores-z por idade e investigou-se a associação das variáveis de exposição com altura (desfecho) por sexo e idade (12-13, 14-15 e 16-17 anos) através de múltiplos modelos de regressão linear. Observou-se menor altura média em adolescentes da região Norte e em baixos níveis socioeconômicos. Aos 17 anos, o mais próximo da altura final nesta amostra, as alturas médias para meninas e meninos foram de 160,9 ± 0,1cm e 173,7 ± 0,3cm, respectivamente. Na análise de regressão linear múltipla, atividade física (meninas β = 0,119, IC95%: 0,035; 0,202; meninos β = 0,092, IC95%: 0,012; 0,172) e Ensino Médio materno (meninas β = 0,103, IC95%: 0,201; 0,204; meninos β = 0,39, IC95%: 0,245; 0,534) estiveram positivamente associados ao escore-z de altura por idade em meninos e meninas de 16-17 anos. Maior consumo de proteína (β = 0,022, IC95%: 0,010; 0,035) e obesidade (β = 0,217, IC95%: 0,084; 0,350) estiveram positivamente associados ao escore-z de altura para a idade meninos mais velhos, enquanto a variável associada às meninas foi baixo peso (β = 0,205, IC95%: 0,028; 0,382). Observou-se diferenças na altura média de adolescentes das cinco regiões brasileiras. O crescimento normal, especialmente entre adolescentes mais velhos, esteve associado à escolaridade materna, à prática de atividade física, ao consumo de proteínas e às categorias de índice de massa corporal (IMC).

Los objetivos fueron describir la estatura media de los adolescentes de las cinco regiones de Brasil y evaluar los factores socioeconómicos y nutricionales asociados al crecimiento normal. Estudio transversal realizado en entornos urbanos y rurales de Brasil con estudiantes de 12 a 17 años (n = 71.553). Se evaluaron la antropometría, las variables socioeconómicas, la actividad física y la dieta. Se calculó la puntuación Z de la altura para la edad y se utilizaron modelos de regresión lineal múltiple para investigar la asociación de las variables de exposición con la altura (resultado) por sexo y edad (12-13, 14-15 y 16-17 años). Se observó una estatura media más baja en los adolescentes de la región norte y en los de nivel socioeconómico bajo. A los 17 años, la edad más cercana a la estatura final en esta muestra, las estaturas medias de las chicas y los chicos eran de 160,9 ± 0,1cm y 173,7 ± 0,3cm, respectivamente. En el análisis de regresión lineal múltiple, la actividad física (chicas β = 0,119, IC95%: 0,035; 0,202; chicos β = 0,092, IC95%: 0,012; 0,172) y la madre con educación secundaria (chicas β = 0,103, IC95%: 0,001; 0,204; chicos β = 0,39, IC95%: 0,245; 0,534) se asociaron positivamente con la puntuación z de la altura para la edad en chicos y chicas de 16-17 años. En el caso de los chicos, el mayor consumo de proteínas (β = 0,022, IC95%: 0,010; 0,035) y la obesidad (β = 0,217, IC95%: 0,084; 0,350), mientras que, en el caso de las chicas, el bajo peso (β = 0,205, IC95%: 0,028; 0,382) también se asociaron positivamente con la puntuación z de la altura para la edad en los estudiantes mayores. Se observaron diferencias en la estatura media entre los adolescentes de las cinco regiones brasileñas. El crecimiento normal, especialmente entre los adolescentes de mayor edad, se asoció con la alta escolaridad de la madre, la práctica de actividad física, el consumo de proteínas y las categorías de índice de masa corporal (IMC).

Medical adherence in the time of social distancing: a brief report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adherence to treatment in patients with diabetes

ABSTRACT We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate the impact of social distancing determined by the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment adherence using the Self-Care Inventory-revised in adults with diabetes mellitus. In type 1 diabetes, the adherence score was lower during than before social distancing.

Diabetes-Specific Questionnaires Validated in Brazilian Portuguese: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Two researchers conducted independent searches on five different electronic databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, SciELO, LiLACS and Web of Science. Studies were selected that covered cross-cultural adaptation methodology and validation in Brazil with type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients of any age. After reading the full-text articles, data related to psychometric characteristics were extracted from each study selected. Reliability was assessed with Cronbach's α (Cα). The initial searches identified 2,211 studies. After exclusions, 26 were included, covering a total of 31 questionnaires. Questionnaires were grouped into 11 domains based on their main focus of interest: adherence (n = 8), quality of life (n = 7), diabetes knowledge (n = 3), hypoglycemia (n = 3), self-efficacy (n = 3), satisfaction with pharmaceutical services (n = 1), emotional stress (n = 2), hope (n = 1), attitude towards diabetes (n = 1), perception of disease severity (n=1), and risk of developing diabetes (n = 1). This study identified and reviewed all of the diabetes-specific questionnaires that have been validated for Brazilian Portuguese, which should facilitate selection of the most appropriate instrument for each domain of interest in future research and clinical settings.

Pé diabético: relato de caso e protocolo assistencial do serviço de endocrinologia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre / Diabetic foot: a case report and endocrinology unit of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre assistance protocol

A infecção do pé é uma importante causa de morbidade em pacientes com diabetes melito, sendo responsável pela maioria dos casos de amputação não traumática de membros inferiores. A ulceração, secundária principalmente à neuropatia diabética, deformidade e trauma, é o principal fator de risco para infecção. Prevenção e identificação precoce dessas alterações, com tratamento apropriado, constituem ferramentas essenciais para diminuir a morbidade relacionada. Neste artigo, relatamos o caso de um paciente com diabetes melito tipo 2 e infecção de pé diabético, com predominância de componente neuropático, e descrevemos o protocolo assistencial recomendado pelo Serviço de Endocrinologia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA).

Infection of the foot is a major cause of morbity in patients with diabetes mellitus and is responsible for most cases of nontraumatic amputation of lower limbs. The ulceration, mainly secondary to diabetic neuropathy, deformity and trauma, is the main risk factor for infection. Prevention and early identification of these changes, along with its appropriate treatment are essential tasks to reduce morbidity related. We report a case of a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus and infection of diabetic foot, mainly presenting neuropathy, and describe the protocol of care recommended by the Endocrinology Unit of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA).