Common Sense Model program on illness perceptions in patients with impaired awareness of hypoglycemia

Abstract

Background: Illness perceptions are important for patients with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH), as they determine health-related behaviors and motivations. Patients with IAH in many countries have poor illness perception, and there is a paucity of research exploring the effectiveness of Common Sense Model (CSM)-based interventions in this population.

Objective: To investigate the effects of a CSM-based intervention program on perceptions of illness in patients with insulin-treated T2DM and IAH.

Design: Quasi-randomized controlled trial.

Methods: 78 patients with IAH receiving routine care were included. The intervention group (n = 39) participated in a CSM-based program, whereas the control group (n = 39) did not. Illness perceptions, coping styles, hypoglycemia fear, and awareness of hypoglycemia at baseline, 1, and 3 months were analyzed and compared between the two groups.

Results: The intervention group exhibited significant improvements in consequences (β = -1.615, P = 0.032); personal control (β = −1.897, P = 0.006); treatment control (β = −1.274, P = 0.046); and positive coping style (β = 4.872, P = 0.002) at the 3-month follow-up, and timeline (β = 2.769, P = 0.004) at the 1-month follow-up. Hypoglycemia fear and awareness were not significantly improved in the intervention group compared with the control group. No intervention-related adverse events were observed.

Conclusions: A CSM-based intervention program can modify illness perceptions to an extent and improve the positive coping style in patients with IAH.

Impact statementNurses should conduct a CSM-based intervention program to help patients with IAH improve illness perceptions.

Keywords:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• impaired awareness of hypoglycemia
• illness perceptions
• Common Sense Model

Acknowledgment

The authors wish to sincerely thank all of the participants without whom this study would have not been possible.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.