Illness perception and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes: cross-sectional questionnaire study

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Goranka Petriček
• Author: Mladenka Vrcić-Keglević
• Author: Gorka Vuletić
• Author: Venija Cerovečki
• Author: Zlata Ožvačić
• Author: Lucija Murgić
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Public Health and Health Care

Abstract (english)

AIM. To investigate illness perception in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its association with the degree of control over relevant cardiovascular risk factors. ----- METHODS. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed from June 2007 to March 2008. A stratified random sample of 46 Croatian general practitioners was asked to select, using systematic sampling, the first 6 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged > or =18 years who visited them for consultation during the study period. Data on 250 patients included patient illness perception assessment (Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, IPQ), cardiovascular risk factors, and socio-demographic data. ----- RESULTS. The patients' mean age was 63.0+/-10.9 years and mean duration of diabetes was 9.3+/-7.8 years. The patients' illness perception assessment on an 11-point (0 to 10) scale showed the highest median scores (interquartile range): 10 (8 to 10) for "timeline" and 8 (7 to 9) for "treatment control," followed by 7 (5 to 8) for "personal control," 7 (5 to 9) for "understanding," 5 (3 to 7) for "consequences," 6 (4 to 7) for "concern," and 5 (2 to 7) for "emotional response." The lowest score was 3 (1 to 5) for "identity." Multivariate logistic regression showed that the Brief IPQ item "concern" (P<0.001) was a significant predictor of body mass index; "personal control" (P<0.001) and "concern" (P=0.048) were significant predictors of fasting blood glucose; "treatment control" (P=0.009) was a significant predictor of total cholesterol; and "understanding" (P=0.010) was a significant predictor of blood pressure. ----- CONCLUSION. As patients' beliefs seem to be associated with the degree of control over cardiovascular risk factors, they should be included in routine clinical assessments.

• Keywords (english): Attitude to Health; Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control; Croatia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / psychology; Diet; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Surveys; Humans; Life Style; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Motor Activity; Risk Factors; Smoking; Statistics, Nonparametric
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Croatian Medical Journal
• Numbering: vol. 50, no. 6, pp. 583-593
• p-ISSN: 0353-9504
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2009.50.583
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:860778
• Publication: 2009-12
• Document URL: http://www.cmj.hr/2009/50/6/20017227.htm
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 11:28:59