Extent of satisfaction with tablets and food-timing in sulphonylurea-treated diabetes.
This study measured patient views about following tablet-taking and food-timing recommendations in Type 2 diabetes. Two new questionnaires were validated. Outpatients with Type 2 diabetes treated with sulphonylurea agents (n=131) completed the seven-item Diabetes Tablet Treatment Questionnaire (DTTQ) and nine-item Diabetes Food Timing Questionnaire (DFTQ). Mean glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was 7.8% (S.D. 1.8%). At least 74% had optimal DTTQ item scores for tablet-taking as recommended, difficulty taking tablets, side effects, perceived hypoglycaemia and willingness to continue current tablets, but 71% scored sub-optimally regarding recent hyperglycaemia. Under half scored optimally on DFTQ items concerning eating at recommended times, difficulty with food-timing, denying oneself food and guilt about eating. Principal components and reliability analyses identified a two-item tablet problem scale within the DTTQ (alpha 0.72) and a seven-item food-timing problem scale in the DFTQ (alpha 0.77). Satisfaction and adherence were not closely related to glycaemic control. Only scores for perceived hyperglycaemia (r=0.38), perceived hypoglycaemia (r=-0.24) and satisfaction to continue current tablets (r=-0.20) correlated significantly with HbA1c. Clinicians found that the DTTQ helped to raise tablet-taking issues otherwise missed in consultations. Both questionnaires can be used to guide the need for focussed discussion, educational intervention and/or treatment change and to evaluate their impact.
Woodcock
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Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, England, UK. a.woodcock@rhul.ac.uk
Bain
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S
Charlton
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M
Bradley
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C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013607:Tablets / Q000009:adverse effects
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; D013607:Tablets