Determining the variables that predict diabetes symptoms, self-management, and care dependency in individuals with type 2 diabetes using insulin,

The purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate the diabetes symptoms, self-management and care dependency levels and the variables that predict these conditions in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. The study was carried out in internal medicine and outpatient clinics of Hacettepe University Adult Hospital between April 6, 2021, and August 15, 2021. The study sample consisted of patients with Type 2 diabetes (n=245). The Patient Information Form, Diabetes Symptoms Checklist Scale, Diabetes Self-Management Scale and Care Dependence Scale were applied to the participants by face-to-face interview. Data were analyzed by median, interquartile range, minimum and maximum, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test, multiple linear regression (stepwise) analysis. 53.5% of the participants were female, with a median age of 56 years. The mostly experienced diabetes symptoms were reported as general fatigue/burnout, emotional changes, weakness, drowsiness, xerostomia, fatigue when waking up in the morning, numbness in the feet, increased fatigue during the day, excessive thirst, and irritability before eating. In addition, the median scores of the Diabetes Checklist Scale were 100 (63-172), and 20% of the change in the Diabetes Checklist Scale was explained by the variables of comorbid diseases, hypertension, and social support status (R2=0,208). The median scores of Diabetes Self-Management Scale were found to be 91 (45-121), 21% of the change in the scale scores were found to be explained by the variables of comorbid diseases, educations status, chronic kidney disease, and education about diabetes (R2=0,214). The median scores of Care Dependency Scale were determined as 67 (17-85). 39% of the change in the care dependency scores was explained by the variables of age, chronic kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease (R2=0,393). Age, comorbid diseases, educations status, education on diabetes and social support status significantly predicted diabetes symptoms, self-management, and care dependency in this study (p<0.05). Besides, as diabetes symptoms increased, self-management decreased, and care dependency improved in this study. Nurses should monitor the diabetes symptoms and self-management in Type 2 diabetes and evaluate the patients in terms of care dependency.