Family Support and Glycemic Control in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in a Family Medicine Unit in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

Summary

Objective: to determine the relationship between glycemic control and family support in the patient with diabetes, from the perception of a family member. Methods: analytical and cross-sectional study with a non-randomized sample. It included 690 persons, 345 patients with diabetes type 2 and 345 family companions. The “Instrument to Evaluate Family Support of the Diabetic Type 2 Patient” was applied to the family members. It was validated in 2003, which determines the instrumental and informational support provided to the diabetic patient. The diabetic patients were surveyed on socio-demographic factors and regular consultation. Glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides figures were obtained from the laboratory information system (Modulab). Results: from the 345 diabetic surveyed patients, 175 (50.7%) had a glycemic control and 62 (18%) metabolic control. In regards to the global family support, from the 345 family members surveyed, 89 (25.8%) presented a medium level and 256 (74.2%) a high level. It was found a positive association of metabolic disorder with respect to low and medium family support (or 2.7; ic 1.233-5.94; p=0.013). However, there was no association with the identified lack of glycemic control. Conclusion: it was determined a positive association between low – medium family support towards the diabetic patient and metabolic disorder, which demonstrated, the importance of the family so the patient can better be managed by health personnel.