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. 2011 Feb;34(2):338-40.
doi: 10.2337/dc10-1779.

Illness and treatment perceptions are associated with adherence to medications, diet, and exercise in diabetic patients

Elizabeth Broadbent  1 , Liesje Donkin, Julia C Stroh
Affiliations

Illness and treatment perceptions are associated with adherence to medications, diet, and exercise in diabetic patients

Elizabeth Broadbent et al. Diabetes Care. 2011 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate diabetic patients' perceptions of illness and treatments, and explore relationships to adherence and blood glucose control.

Research design and methods: Forty-nine type 1 and one hundred and eight type 2 diabetic patients completed questionnaires assessing illness perceptions, treatment beliefs, and adherence to medications, diet, and exercise. Blood glucose control was assessed from blood tests.

Results: Patients rated medication more important than diet and exercise, and reported higher adherence to medications. Insulin was perceived as more helpful for diabetes, while antihypertensives and cholesterol medication were perceived more helpful for preventing heart problems. Perceptions were associated with adherence to insulin, cholesterol and antihypertensive medications, exercise, and diet. Blood glucose control in type 1 diabetic patients was associated with insulin adherence and perceived personal control, and in type 2 diabetic patients to being prescribed insulin or antihypertensives, and perceived personal control.

Conclusions: Patients hold specific mental models about diabetes treatments, which are associated with adherence.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean ranking of importance of each aspect of treatment by type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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