Prevalence and burden of diabetes mellitus-related symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study
https://doi.org/10.51866/oa.416
- Author:
Jonathan Yuet Han Tan
1
;
Chirk Jenn Ng
2
Author Information
1. Klinik Kesihatan Sungai Manila, D/A32 Pejabat Kesihatan Kawasan Sandakan,Tingkat 6, Rumah Persekutuan Sandakan, Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia
2. Health Services & Systems Research, Duke NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
T2DM;
DSC-R;
Symptom burden;
Prevalence;
Patient’s satisfaction
- From:Malaysian Family Physician
2023;18():1-9
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant non-communicable disease in Malaysia, with a prevalence of 18.1%, per the National Health and Morbidity Survey. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and burden of diabetes mellitus-related symptoms and whether these symptoms were addressed by primary care doctors.
Methods: This 1-month cross-sectional study was conducted at an urban hospital-based primary care clinic in Malaysia. Patients with T2DM were recruited using systematic random sampling. Participants answered a self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Diabetes Symptom Checklist-Revised, which evaluated the sociodemographic characteristics, burden of diabetes mellitus-related symptoms in the past month and post-consultation feedback about symptoms. Data were analysed using SPSS.
Results: Four hundred eighteen participants were included, yielding a response rate of 97.7%. Hyperglycaemia was the most prevalent symptom, with 48.1% of the participants reporting a frequent need to empty their bladder. Most participants experienced a low symptom burden, so 56.7% did not report their symptoms to their doctors. The participants who reported their symptoms had a higher symptom burden. Among them, 97.5% indicated that their doctors addressed their symptoms. Approximately 78% reported satisfaction and good coping skills when their symptoms were addressed.
Conclusion: Hyperglycaemia was the most prevalent diabetes mellitus-related symptom among the patients with T2DM. The symptom burden was generally low, so most patients did not report their symptoms to their doctors. Those who reported their symptoms had a higher symptom burden. Further studies must explore why patients do not report their symptoms and how doctors address patients’ symptoms.
- Full text:20260824124601166839.2023my0219.pdf
