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Empowerment and Knowledge as Determinants for Quality of Life: A Contribution to a Better Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management

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  • Pedro L. Ferreira

    (Centre for Health Studies and Research, University of Coimbra, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal
    Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Carminda Morais

    (Centre for Health Studies and Research, University of Coimbra, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal
    Superior School of Health, Polytechnic of Viana do Castelo, 4900-314 Viana do Castelo, Portugal)

  • Rui Pimenta

    (Centre for Health Studies and Research, University of Coimbra, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal
    School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • Inês Ribeiro

    (Centre for Health Studies and Research, University of Coimbra, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Isabel Amorim

    (Centre for Health Studies and Research, University of Coimbra, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal
    Superior School of Health, Polytechnic of Viana do Castelo, 4900-314 Viana do Castelo, Portugal)

  • Sandra Maria Alves

    (Centre for Health Studies and Research, University of Coimbra, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal
    School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess how knowledge and empowerment impact the quality of life (QoL) of a person with type 2 diabetes, leading to better communication and disease management. We conducted a descriptive and observational study of individuals with type 2 diabetes. The Diabetes Empowerment Scale-Short Form (DES-SF), Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT), and EQ-5D-5L were used, in addition to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Evaluating the variability in the DES-SF and DKT in relation to the EQ-5D-5L and identifying possible sociodemographic and clinical determinants were conducted using univariate analyses followed by a multiple linear regression model to test whether the factors significantly predicted QoL. A total of 763 individuals were included in the final sample. Patients aged 65 years or older had lower QoL scores, as well as patients who lived alone, had less than 12 years of education, and experienced complications. The insulin-treated group showed higher scores in DKT than the non-insulin-treated group. It was also found that being male, being under 65 years of age, having no complications present, and having higher levels of knowledge and empowerment predicted higher QoL. Our results show that DKT and DES are still determinants of QoL, even after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Therefore, literacy and empowerment are important for the improvement of the QoL of people with diabetes, by enabling them to manage their health conditions. New clinical practices focused on education, increasing patients’ knowledge, and empowerment may contribute to better health outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro L. Ferreira & Carminda Morais & Rui Pimenta & Inês Ribeiro & Isabel Amorim & Sandra Maria Alves, 2023. "Empowerment and Knowledge as Determinants for Quality of Life: A Contribution to a Better Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-13, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4544-:d:1087345
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ling Jie Cheng & Wenru Wang & Suan Tee Lim & Vivien Xi Wu, 2019. "Factors associated with glycaemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus: A systematic literature review," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(9-10), pages 1433-1450, May.
    2. Hardesh Dhillon & Rusli Bin Nordin & Amutha Ramadas, 2019. "Quality of Life and Associated Factors among Primary Care Asian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-12, September.
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