engleski

The role of illness perception in predicting long-term glycemic control in overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background and aims: The global epidemic of obesity largely explains the dramatic increase in the prevalence of T2DM over the past years. The patients’ self-care behaviours, including maintenance of glycemic control, may be driven by their illness perceptions of their T2DM. Patient with a strong belief in their ability to control their T2DM may be more likely to engage in lifestyle management than a patient who believes their T2DM to be outside their own personal control. Objectives: The aim of the research was to examine gender differences in beliefs about the disease, anxiety and depression in overweight and obese patients with T2DM. We wanted to assess if any of the patients ´ psychological characteristics, their health beliefs, age or BMI could be used to predict long-term glycemic control. Materials and Methods: A total of 88 patients (42 women and 46 men) were enrolled in the study, 47% of the subjects were overweight and 53% were obese. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) assessed the six components of the illness representation in Leventhal’s Self- Regulatory Model. Results: Women experience greater emotional reaction to diabetes (worry, depression, fear, anger) and are generally more anxious than men. The regression analysis results indicated that in women, beliefs that their treatment does not help in the regulation of the disease and that the disease has a number of negative consequences for their lives (financial, family, social) can be used to predict poor long-term glycemic control. In addition, older age, higher BMI and the female patient´s belief that her own behaviour can affect her disease and makes her able to control it, can also predict poor long-term glycemic control. An interesting result is that among the variables that we studied not one has proved useful in predicting longterm glycemic control in man. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that the cognitive components of female patients’ representations of illness, especially consequences, personal and treatment control have greater associations with long-term glycemic control and may be the best targets for interventions. It is necessary to take account of gender specificities in the management of T2DM and further research is needed to identify predictors of long-term glycemic control in men.

Illness perception, glycemic control, overweight, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus

Research relating to this abstract was funded by the University of Rijeka, project number 13.04.1.3.07.