Diabetic patients' knowledge of therapeutic goals in Kuwait.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to analyze patients' knowledge about therapeutic goals for diabetic patients and factors associated with good knowledge.


METHODS
A total of 266 diabetic patients were randomly selected from 6 diabetes clinics in Kuwait to be included in a cross-sectional patient survey. Data were collected via face-to-face structured interviews using a pretested questionnaire. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis was used in data analysis.


RESULTS
The response rate was 93% (n = 247). The percentages [95% confidence interval (CI)] of patients who reported knowing their recent levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), blood pressure (BP), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were 5% (2-8), 54% (48-60), and 8% (5-11), respectively. The percentages (95% CI) of patients who admitted knowing the target goals for LDL-C, BP, HbA1c, fasting, and postprandial blood glucose levels were 3% (1-6), 49% (43-55), 6% (3-9), 62% (56-68) and 55% (49-61), respectively. Correct target goals for LDL-C, BP, HbA1c, fasting, and postprandial blood glucose levels were reported by 2% (1-4), 43% (37-49), 5% (2-8), 60% (54-66), and 47% (41-53), respectively. Those with a high education (OR = 4.76; 95% CI 2.34-9.68) and those with a family history of diabetes (OR = 3.05; 95% CI 1.50-6.19) had good knowledge about correct targets.


CONCLUSIONS
The current findings revealed that lack of knowledge about recent levels of BP, LDL-C and HbA1c and therapeutic goals was alarmingly high, which highlights the need for the implementation of an effective multidisciplinary team approach to encourage patient education and self-care.
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait. amoneim @ hsc.edu.kw
Abdelmoneim
A
Awad
Hala
H
Dalle
Hannes
H
Enlund
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006291:Health Policy; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin