title: Patients' knowledge of their chronic disease - the influence of socio-demographic characteristics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study investigated which patient socio-demographic factors are associated with being unaware of their chronic disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary analysis of data from the Point of Care Testing in General Practice Trial studying patients with diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia and cardiovascular disease requiring anticoagulation. Patient questionnaires were compared with their general practitioner's records. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, determining which patients were more likely to be unaware of their chronic disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A large proportion of patients were unaware of their chronic diseases (27% with hyperlipidaemia, 15% prescribed anticoagulation, 5% with diabetes). Patient factors associated with being unaware include residing in rural or remote regions of Australia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self management, a pillar of chronic disease management, is unachievable if patients are unaware of their condition. At practice and policy levels, identifying then targeting patients most likely to be unaware of their conditions with evidence based interventions, can facilitate self management.
authors.affiliation: University of Adelaide, South Australia. annabellehocking@gmail.com
authors.forename: Annabelle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hocking
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laurence
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lorimer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000523:psychology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012423:Rural Health; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health