Frequency and perceived burden of diabetes self-management activities in employees with insulin-treated diabetes: relationships with health outcomes.
We explored the relationship between frequency and perceived burden of different self-management activities and HbA1c%, symptoms of diabetes, fatigue, depression, and quality of life in 292 employees between 30 and 60 years of age with insulin-treated diabetes. Participants completed questionnaires that assess self-management and health-related variables. t-Tests were performed for type 1 (DM1) and type 2 diabetes (DM2) separately to compare the mean health scores of individuals who frequently or infrequently perform self-management activities and who do or do not perceive this as a burden. Participants frequently perform their self-management activities, particularly injection of insulin (96.1%), following dietary guidelines (70.8%) and eating regularly (65.6%). Dietary self-management is most often seen as a burden (70.4%), while injecting insulin is seen as least burdensome (12.8%). The perceived burden of self-management is more strongly related to health than the frequency of self-management. Frequency of self-management especially relates to HbA1c% in DM1. People with DM2 who frequently follow the dietary guidelines have more positive health outcomes. Participants who perceive dietary self-management and injecting insulin as a burden have more negative health outcomes. Because different relationships were found between frequency and perceived burden of self-management and health indicators, both aspects should be assessed and considered separately when evaluating self-management and examining patient's health.
Weijman
Iris
I
Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Section of Medical and Health Psychology, University Medical Center, Str. 3.130, P.O. Box 85060, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Ros
Wynand J G
WJ
Rutten
Guy E H M
GE
Schaufeli
Wilmar B
WB
Schabracq
Marc J
MJ
Winnubst
Jacques A M
JA
D000328:Adult; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin