Diabetes in the Desert: What Do Patients Know about the Heat?
| Autor: | Ken R. Waters, Michael J. Hovan, Adrienne A. Nassar, Raymond D. Childs, Curtiss B. Cook, Margaret Fowke, Kimberly A. Jameson, Mary E. Boyle |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2010 |
| Předmět: |
Gerontology
Male Health Knowledge Attitudes Practice Hot Temperature Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism Biomedical Engineering Bioengineering Health knowledge Hot weather Patient Education as Topic Diabetes mellitus Environmental health Internal Medicine medicine Southwestern United States Humans Weather Aged Retrospective Studies Glycated Hemoglobin business.industry Desert climate Original Articles Middle Aged medicine.disease Health Surveys Self Care Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Weather data Self care Female Desert Climate business |
| Popis: | Background: This study aims to identify self-management strategies used by patients with diabetes in hot weather, examine knowledge of safe temperatures and exposure times, and evaluate comprehension of weather data. Methods: Patients attending an endocrinology clinic in southwestern United States were surveyed. Results: One hundred fifty-two surveys completed from November 30 to December 31, 2009 were analyzed. Mean patient age was 64 years; diabetes duration, 15 years; 51% were women, 83% had type 2 diabetes, 58% were non Hispanic white, and 77% were on insulin injections. Mean hemoglobin A1c was 7.9%; 38% had hemoglobin A1c values of 8.0% or higher. Patients used an array of personal protective measures during hot weather, and 71% limited heat exposure to less than one hour. Respondents typically took steps to protect their diabetes medication and supplies, but 37% chose to leave medications and supplies at home. Although 73% of respondents had received information regarding the effect of heat on insulin, only 39% had received information about the effect of heat on oral medications, 41% on glucose meters, and 38% on glucose test strips. The temperature at which patients took protective measures varied. Only 55% knew the definition of the heat index. Conclusion: Most survey participants took measures to protect themselves from the heat, although gaps in knowledge were evident. Many patients had suboptimal glycemic control, placing them potentially at risk for dehydration during the hottest months. Increased public awareness of this topic is needed, and diabetes education programs should include information about the heat where appropriate. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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