Determinate relation between perceived social support and relevant factors with HbAlC in type 1 diabetic patients

ABSTRACT

Diabetes control should be considered as a chronic illness in many fields. Perceived social support is one of the most important social factors in diabetes control. In this study, we aimed to determine the relation between perceived social support and relevant factors with HbAlC in type 1 diabetic patients. This study was a cross sectional which assessed relation between perceived social support and HbAlC of 113 diabetic patients affiliated to hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences during 6 months in 2011. The instrument for data collection was a multidimensional scale including socio demographic and health status data, perceived social support scale by family members [20 items], perceived social support scale by friends [20 items]. Collected data was analyzed by SPSS software version 11.5 with using nonparametric tests such as Mann-Witney and kruskal-Wallistests., None of variables has statistical association with perceived social support by friends [p> 0.05]. Perceived social support by family members had significant relation with HbAlC among men [p-0.05] and patients with BMI in 26-29.9 ranges [p=0.01. It seems that perceived social support from family members is more important than perceived social support from friends. This finding is highlighted among men and patients with borderline BMI. Other variables such as disease duration, marital status, occupation, and education level had no statistical relation with HbAlC