[Illness-specific knowledge, coping with illness and metabolic control in insulin-injecting diabetic patients in a...

A knowledge test about diabetes using a standardized interview was assessed in 186 (81%) of 229 insulin treated patients below the age of 60 who are registered and treated in the diabetes care unit Jena. 90% of these patients were on conventional insulin therapy. The frequency of errors was positive correlated to glycosylated haemoglobin, age and body-mass-index, it was lower in type 1 than in type 2 diabetic patients and decreased with a better education level. Deficiencies of knowledge were detected in the following areas: hyperglycaemic coma, consequence of acetone and obesitas. Knowledge regarding late complications was on a high level. 20% of type 1 and 43% of type 2 diabetic patients did not know their daily carbohydrate units. But the metabolic control in these patients was not different from the patients who know their carbohydrates exactly. Most frequent missed subjects in the patient information were reported: modern therapy strategies, insulin pumps and nutrition. 77% of all patients did not feel ill because of their diabetes and 91% reported an unchanged relationship to their family after diabetes was diagnosed.