KNOWLEDGE IN DIABETIC PATIENTS ABOUT THE DISEASE AND ITS COMPLICATIONS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To assess the knowledge of
diabetic patients about their disease and
its complications.DESIGN Cross sectional
study done in Diabetic patients attending
outpatient Department of Diabetology,
Coimbatore Medical College Hospital
during the month of July
2011.METHODS Known diabetic patients
were included in the study irrespective
of their duration of illness. All
patients were given a prescribed proforma
containing questions regarding
diabetes, its complications and management.
The parameters were tabulated
and analysed using SPSS version
17.RESULTS Out of 200 patients, 99
were males (49.5) and 101 were females
(50.5). Of the patients 36 were between
the age group of 30 to 40 yrs, 62 within
40 to 50 yrs, 67 within 50 to 60 yrs and
35 above the age of 60 yrs. Only 4 of the
study population were aware that Diabetes
is due to elevated blood sugar levels.
With regard to complications, 22 were
aware about eye problems, 20 about cardiac
problems, 8 about stroke,