![Sample our Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5944/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Medicine-Dentistry-Nursing-Allied-Health.jpg"})
Abstract
Background: The importance of spousal support in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patient management is often neglected. We prospectively investigated spouses’ needs for T2DM information, and whether their perceptions of health changes in their diabetic partners correlated with changes in objective and subjective health parameters for the partners.
Methods: Spouses and partners with T2DM (n=52 per group) were followed for two years. Questionnaires on T2DM information/education and general health perception of themselves and their partners were given to spouses at start and end of study. Perceived changes in partners’ health were compared with changes in objective (10-year Framingham coronary heart disease risk) and subjective (health-related quality-of-life [EuroQoL]) measures.
Results: Spouses’ (mean age±SD 58±10 years, n=42 females) self-reported needs for T2DM information/education were high at both assessments (61.5%/76.7%; 46.2%/63.0%, respectively). General health of diabetic partners (mean age 60±8 years, n=42 males) was perceived as improved by 10%, worsened by 27% and unchanged by 63% of spouses. Significant correlations were observed between spouses who perceived improvements in partners’ health, and subjective and objective parameters of partners’ health (EuroQoL scores increased by 18; Framingham risk reduced by 2.0±3.0%); similar correlations were observed in spouses who perceived worsening of partners’ health (EuroQoL scores decreased by 7±15; Framingham risk increased by 1.7±4.1%). Spouses’ results showed moderate sensitivity for capturing health worsening in relation to increase in Framingham risk (57%); specificity in relation to no change or reduction in Framingham risk was high (74%).
Conclusion: Spouses’ needs for T2DM information/education were high. Perceived changes in partners’ health significantly correlated with subjective and objective outcome data. Further studies should investigate whether spouses’ perceptions of negative changes could be used to trigger more intensive T2DM management strategies.
Keywords:
