Lifestyle of the patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background. The increasing incidence of diabetes among the general public, is a global problem. Diabetes causes a number of complications, adversely affecting the quality of life of the patients. The main method of treating type 2 diabetes in addition to pharmacotherapy, is a good lifestyle, having a positive impact on health. The purpose of health education is to make the patients realize the point of applying to certain health behaviors and the development of appropriate lifestyle and attitudes having a positive impact on health Objectives. Aim of this study is to analyze the lifestyle of patients with type 2 diabetes, and to investigate possible differences between the two groups of patients - educated and not educated. Material and methods. There were examined 80 patients, mean age 67.7 years, who were divided into two distinct groups. The first group includes patients who regularly take part in diabetes education, while the second group consists of patients who had never taken part in any such education. The study was conducted at the Center for Diabetes Education, and the Department of Angiology, Hypertension and Diabetes in Academic Hospital in Wroclaw. In the study it was used an anonymous own questionnaire containing 36 closed questions. The survey was divided into separate sections for sociometric data, eating habits, physical activity, clinical data, and control of disease of individual patients. Results. The studies have shown a clear impact of diabetological education on the lifestyle of patients. Patients differed in terms of the type of treatment, eating habits, physical activity, the ability to control the disease and knowledge about diabetes. Differences related primarily to the type and the number of diabetic complications. Educated patients have a better lifestyle and a better understanding of the control of diabetes, which is associated with a lower risk of complications in this group. Conclusions. Patients with diabetes have both knowledge about healthy behaviors and comply with appropriate lifestyle. There are differences in lifestyle between the group of educated patients, and these, who are not educated. Educated patients have higher adjustment to health behaviors, such as proper nutrition, physical activity and disease control. Educated patients, by keeping a proper lifestyle are less likely to experience the complications of diabetes.