title: Investigation of the relationship between patient empowerment and glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether there is an association between patient empowerment and diabetes management in terms of the primary outcomes of metabolic control as measured by glycaemic control (glycated haemoglobin, HbA1c), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cross-sectional analysis conducted in 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from Diabetes Federation of Ireland from participants enrolled in the Community Orientated Diabetes Education (CODE) Programme.
  
  
  METHODS
  569 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient empowerment levels, as measured by the Diabetes Empowerment Scale-Short Form. Additional information collected included patients' gender, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking status and number of years with diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  HbA1c, HDL, LDL, TC and triglycerides values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Partial correlation analyses failed to show any statistically significant relationship between patient empowerment and glycaemic control or other diabetes management variables (HbA1c, p=0.32; HDL, p=0.95; LDL, p=0.77; TC, p=0.49; triglycerides, p=0.77). Logistic regression analysis confirmed that patient empowerment score was not a significant predictor of level of glycaemic control. Time since diagnosis of diabetes was associated with increased HbA1c levels. Age and gender were significant predictors of HDL and LDL levels, while gender and age were associated with changes in TC and triglycerides levels, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant association was found between patient empowerment levels and other measures of diabetes control in this study. Further research into the short-term and long-term outcomes of the empowerment model, at different levels of disease management, and across different settings, is required to evaluate its value in the management of patients with diabetes.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Maire
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Colm
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Tuathaigh
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D014280:Triglycerides; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human
keywords: PRIMARY CARE