Type 1 diabetes mellitus: can coaching improve health outcomes?

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the introduction of coaching in the interdisciplinary care of individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus in the public health care system. Subjects and methods: Ten patients routinely attending a public health care service and with a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level above 75% participated in eight coaching sessions. This study evaluated the patients' self-management of the disease and personal behavior. The participants were assessed at the beginning of the program and on two occasions after the intervention, with evaluation of biochemical and anthropometric data, and frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). Questionnaires were applied during these evaluations to analyze emotional burden (B-PAID), medication adherence (Morisky Adherence Scale), and self-efficacy (IMDSES). Results HbA1c had a median level of 8.0% (range 76-10.3%) at the beginning of the study and reduced significantly 3 months after initiation of the intervention (7.78% [6.5-10%], p = 0.028), with no significant increase at 6 months (8.3% [713-9.27%], p = 0.386). SMBG improved significantly from the beginning to the end of the study, with the median number of glucose tests per week varying from 16.5 (range 0-42) at baseline to 29.0 (7-42) at 3 months and 27.5 (10-48) at 6 months (p = 0.047). No significant differences were observed in anthropometric parameters or in the scores of the instruments between the three measurements. Conclusion: A coaching intervention focused on patients' values and sense of purpose may provide added benefit to traditional diabetes education programs and could be an auxiliary method to help individuals with type 1 diabetes achieve their treatment goals.

Psychometric Evaluation of a Turkish Version of the Diabetes Fear of Self-injecting and Self-testing Questionnaire (D-FISQ)

PURPOSE: To examine the psychometric properties of a Turkish version of the Diabetes Fear of Injecting and Self-testing Questionnaire (D-FISQ). METHODS: Forward-backward translation of the D-FISQ from English into Turkish was conducted. Original English and translated forms were examined by a panel group. Validity was investigated using content, confirmatory factor analysis, and divergent validity. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach α values, item-total correlations, and intraclass correlations. The sample comprised 350 patients with diabetes. Data were analyzed using SPSS 15.0 for Windows and LISREL 8. RESULTS: The content validity index for the panel members was .90, which indicated perfect content validity; items in D-FISQ were clear, concise, readable, and distinct. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the original construct of the D-FISQ. All items had factor loadings higher than the recommended level of .40. The D-FISQ scores were discriminated by the level of anxiety. Reliability results were also satisfactory. Cronbach α values were within ideal limits. Item-total correlation coefficient ranged from .72 to .86. In terms of test-retest reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient was found to be over .90. CONCLUSIONS: D-FISQ is a valid and reliable questionnaire in assessing needle-prick fear among Turkish patients with diabetes. We recommend performing the Turkish D-FISQ in determining and screening patients with diabetes who have fear related to self-insulin injection and finger-prick test. Thus, health care professionals should be aware of the potential consequences of injection fear such as insulin misuse and poor self-monitoring of blood glucose, which may have unfavorable effects on optimal diabetes management.

Asociación del control glicémico con el apoyo familiar y el nivel de conocimientos en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 / Association of family support and knowledge about the disease with glycemic control in diabetic patients

Background: Family interventions may improve glycemic control among diabetic patients Aim: To evaluate the association of glycemic control with family support and level of knowledge in patients with type 2 diabetes. Material and Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes completed a demographic survey. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was determined and glycemic control was defined as a value < 6,5%. Two validated instruments were applied to evaluate family support, stratifying it in three categories (low, medium and high) and the level of knowledge about diabetes. Results: We studied 81 patients aged 32 to 65 years (53 females). Thirty six percent had an adequate glycemic control. Participants with a medium family support had three times greater risk of having an uncontrolled blood glucose than subjects with high family support. No significant association was found between the level of knowledge and glycemic control. Conclusions: Family support but not knowledge about the disease is associated with a better glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Avaliação da glicemia capilar na ponta de dedo versus locais alternativos: valores resultantes e preferência dos pacientes / Analysis of fingerstick capillary glycemia versus alternative site: results and patients preferences

O trabalho visa avaliar eficácia e a preferência dos pacientes na monitorização da glicemia capilar em locais alternativos: lóbulo de orelha, antebraço e panturrilha em relação à ponta de dedo. Foram avaliados 89 pacientes (39 M/50 F) com diabetes melito tipo 2 (DM2). A monitorização foi feita com glicosímetro digital (ACCU - CHEK Performa, Roche), lancetador ACCU-CHEK Multiclix, em grau 5 na face palmar da falange distal do 3º dedo da mão direita, porção inferior do lóbulo da orelha direita, antebraço direito e região superior da panturrilha direita. Não houve diferença da glicemia capilar na ponta de dedo em relação aos locais alternativos. A ponta de dedo foi o local mais doloroso. Quanto ao local de preferência, a orelha e a ponta de dedo foram os preferidos. A monitorização glicêmica em locais alternativos é simples, segura e eficaz, como a glicemia de ponta de dedo.

This paper evaluate the efficacy and patients preferences of glucose monitoring in alternatives sites: ear lobe, forearm and calf against conventional fingerstick. We studied 89 patients (39 M/ 50 F) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). Glucose monitoring was measured using a digital glucosimeter (ACCU - CHEK Performa, Roche), and ACCU-CHEK Multiclix lancetador, with grade 5 on the distal phalange on the right hand's third finger, inferior part of right ear lobe, right forearm and right calf. There was not statistical significance on the comparative analyzes of fingerstick and alternatives sites. There was more pain in fingerstick. The patients preferred the fingerstick and the ear lobe. Glucose monitoring in alternative sites is as simple, safe and efficient as fingerstick.