Patient-related factors associated with glycaemic control in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients attending Daveyton main clinic in the Eastern sub-district of Ekurhuleni health district, Gauteng Province

Abstract

Introduction The World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates that Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disease in the world with the burden of the disease increasing. Furthermore, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that about 400 million people are living with DM. In South Africa the estimate is 2.7 million. Aim The aim of the study was to explore patient-related factors associated with glycaemic control in T2DM patients attending Daveyton Main Clinic (DMC). The objectives were to determine the socio-demographic characteristics, describe patient-related factors associated with good and poor glycaemic control and factors associated with glycaemic control in T2DM patients attending Daveyton Main Clinic. Methodology This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study of all T2DM patients attending the DMC for at least a year, willing to participate in the study fromMarch to June 2015. A consecutive sample of 200 T2DM patients was used. A convenience sampling method was used on a first come first serve basis. A patient questionnaire was administered which included socio-demographics, diabetes information, compliance, co-morbidities, complications, global physical activities (GPAQ), depression screening questions (PHQ-2), blood pressure, weight, height and blood collected for HBA1C. Results The results divided patients in two arms namely the good glycaemic control group and poor glycaemic control arm for age range ≤ 65 years and above 65 years old. Thirty-six percent (36 % n= 72) of participants had good glycaemic control. Significant findings associated with good glycaemic control were advanced age mean of 65 years (p=0.001), formal housing (p=0.020), employed or recipient of old age pensions (p=0.001), and not statistically significant factors were chronic hypertension (p=0.056), normal weight (p=0.056) and regular physical activities (p=0.059).Sixty-four percent (64 %, n=128) of participants had poor glycaemic control. Significant findings associated with poor glycaemic control were younger age, mean of 55 years p= 0.001 and informal housing with p=0.020. Depressive symptoms, reported compliance, comorbidities, and complications were not found to be associated with either good or poor glycaemic control. Conclusion and recommendations The conclusion was that older patients who had a decent social economic status (formal housing and earning an income) were more likely to have good glycaemic control compared to younger patients. It is recommended that disease management efforts be focused on younger T2DM patients, encourage diabetes support group meetings and further study of depression and glycaemic control.