title: Diabetes mellitus: attitudes, knowledge and glycaemic control in a cross-sectional population.
abstract: A questionnaire to households in Oxfordshire identified 431 diabetic patients living in the area and 272 of them completed a questionnaire about their attitudes to and knowledge of diabetes, and were subsequently interviewed. Most did not regard diabetes as a serious disease and had little knowledge of possible complications. Patients found dietary compliance the most difficult part of their treatment. Among non-insulin treated patients there was a significant association between difficulty with diet and body mass index and glycosylated haemoglobin values. The results suggest that there is a need for more effective advice on diet and for better education of patients about the nature of diabetes and its complications.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Neil
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thorogood
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Mann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic