RESUMEN
Self-management behavior among diabetes patients is essential to monitor blood sugar levels, make necessary lifestyle changes, and help patients reduce their risk of complications from diabetes. We assessed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its association with self-management behavior and sociodemographic characteristics among 310 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attending different diabetes care centers in northern Saudi Arabia. We evaluated the self-management behaviors of patients with T2DM using a validated Arabic version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Scale. Regarding MS, we applied the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Plan-3 (ATP-3) guidelines. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of MS. We found that more than one-third (36.5%) of patients had MS according to the NCEP ATP-3 criteria. The prevalence of MS was significantly associated with unsatisfactory self-management behaviors. Regarding sociodemographic predictors for MS, we found a significant association between gender (ref: female: Adjusted OR (AOR) = 1.89, 95%CI = 1.17-2.95, p = 0.007) and body mass index (ref.: normal range: AOR = 2.98, 95%CI = 1.31-5.07, p = 0.003). Our findings suggest a tailor-made multifaceted intervention to improve the self-management behaviors of T2DM patients, which, in turn, can reduce MS.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the perceived frequencies about counseling to obese patients, among physicians stratified by body mass index (BMI), working in primary health care clinics (PHCC) in Aljouf region of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: All primary health care physicians in Aljouf region were invited to participate in the study. The study was conducted between January to March 2020. Demographical variables and questions related to counseling for weight loss. Physicians' BMI and questions related to counseling were analyzed to study the statistical significances. RESULTS: Of 118 participants majority were under 40 years old (47.5%) while there were 74 (62.7%) males and 44 (37.3%) female physicians in the study. Fifty percent of the study participants were overweight while 16.1% were obese. Significantly high proportion of the participants were agreed that patients are not trust on weight loss advice by overweight/obese physicians (P = 0.014). Secondly, over 90% of respondents were agreed to counsel their patients to do exercise and do dietary adjustments for weight loss however it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Participants showed a general agreement that physicians' own health has significant effect on weight loss counseling provided to the patients. Hence, it is important to improve physicians own health because patients also get inspired by physicians' health and appearance and that can help to make weight loss counseling more effective and fruitful.
