Endocrine Abstracts

The purpose of this study was to measure well-being and treatment satisfaction among clinic patients with type 2 diabetes using a diabetes specific instrument as well as determine correlates of these measures. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Well-Being Questionnaire (1) and the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (2). Other demographic and clinical indices of age, sex, body mass index, disease duration and blood glucose levels were also recorded. Scores obtained were correlated with patients' clinical parameters. 83 responses were analysed. Subjects were aged between 25 and 75 years, mean 55.5 plus/minus 11.1 years. 50.6% were males while 49.4% were females. Mean diabetes duration was 4.9 plus/minus 6.5 years and body mass index 26.9 plus/minus 5.9 kg per m². 67 (80.7%) were receiving oral agents and dietary modification while 16 (19.3%) were on insulin therapy. Mean scale scores were similar in both insulin and tablet treated patients. Positive well-being was higher in males 13.4 plus/minus 4.1 vs 11.5 plus/minus 4.3 in females p = 0.04. None of the well-being subscale scores, well-being or treatment satisfaction correlated with age, disease duration, body mass index or glycaemic control. It is hoped that our data would provide the basis for future comparisons as well as improving diabetes care.

1.Bradley C. The Well-Being Questionnaire. In: Bradley C ed. Handbook of Psychology and Diabetes. Chur Switzerland, Harwood 1994a; 89-109.

2.Bradley C. Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. In: Bradley C ed. Handbook of Psychology and Diabetes. Chur Switzerland, Harwood 1994b; 111-132.