Relationship between illness perception and self-management behaviors among Chinese diabetic foot patients

The aims of the present study are to describe the status of self-management behaviors and illness perception, and explore the relationship between illness perception and self-management behaviors among Chinese diabetic foot patients.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the endocrinology department of a comprehensive tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China. Data were collected on illness perception, self-management behaviors, and demographic and clinical characteristics over 9 months among 156 subjects. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis, univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.

Only 3.2% of participants maintained excellent self-management behaviors. Additionally, the participants perceived diabetic foot as chronic and could be well controlled through treatment. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that illness perception was associated with self-management behaviors.

Patient illness perception is an important factor influencing self-management behaviors. It may be helpful to improve self-management behaviors by tailoring the content of the intervention to fit the patients' illness perceptions.