Development and Validation of the DiAbeTes Education Questionnaire (DATE-Q) to Measure Knowledge Among Diabetes and Prediabetes Patients Attending Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs.

PURPOSE: Knowledge assessment tools are highly useful in clinical practice, as they help health care teams to customize education and clinical care plans based on the needs of patients. The objective of this study was to develop and validate the DiAbeTes Education Questionnaire (DATE-Q) to measure knowledge among diabetes and prediabetes patients attending cardiac rehabilitation (CR). METHODS: Based on patient information needs, other validated tools and diabetes education standards and current practices, experts developed 20 items to comprise the first version of the DATE-Q. To establish content validity, they were reviewed by an expert panel (n = 12) and patients. Refined items were psychometrically tested in 84 diabetes and prediabetes patients attending CR. The internal consistency was assessed via regularized factor analysis and Cronbach α, and criterion validity with regard to patient education and family income. For interpretability analysis, the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was estimated using distribution- and anchor-based methods. RESULTS: All items were appropriate for administration in this population according to experts and patients. Three factors were extracted and were generally internally consistent and well defined by the items. Criterion validity was supported by significant differences in mean scores by family income (P < .05). Results showed that increases in knowledge can moderately increase mean steps/d and peak oxygen uptake, with an MCID of 2.13. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated preliminary validity of the DATE-Q. Future research is needed to assess other measurement properties to confirm the applicability of this tool in clinical and research settings.

Effectiveness of an education intervention associated with an exercise program in improving disease-related knowledge and health behaviours among diabetes patients.

OBJECTIVE: to assess the effectiveness of an education intervention associated with an exercise program in improving knowledge and health behaviours among diabetes patients. METHODS: Diabetes and prediabetes patients were exposed to an evidence- and theoretically-based comprehensive education intervention over 24 weeks. Patients completed surveys assessing knowledge, physical activity, food intake, self-efficacy, and health literacy. Functional capacity was measured by oxygen uptake. All outcomes were assessed pre- and post-CR. Satisfaction about the education provided was assessed at post-CR. Paired t-tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, and linear regression models were computed to investigate the effectiveness of this intervention. RESULTS: 84 patients consented to participate, of which 47(56.0%) completed post-CR assessments. There was a significant improvement in patients' overall knowledge pre- to post-CR, as well as in physical activity, food intake, self-efficacy, and health literacy (p < 0.05). Peak VO2 has clinically significant improved. Results showed a low significant positive correlation was between post-CR knowledge and food intake(r = 0.297;p = 0.04). Linear regression analysis revealed that age(B=-0.051; p = 0.01) was influential in changing post-CR knowledge. CONCLUSION: The benefits of an education intervention designed for diabetes and prediabetes patients associated with an exercise program have been supported. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This work shows one effective education strategy taken in place that can be replicated in different settings.

Utility of Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Cardiac Rehabilitation.

PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is prevalent in patients with cardiovascular disease and is often undiagnosed. The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of communicating OSA risk with the patients in a diabetes and cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) and primary care physicians. METHODS: Following an OSA education session, 295 patients in diabetes and CRPs were screened for OSA and daytime sleepiness by STOP-BANG and Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaires. Letters were sent to patients at high risk or noncompliant with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment and their physicians. Follow-up questionnaires were sent to patients 6 months later. RESULTS: Of the 295 patients screened, 16.6% (n = 49) had an OSA diagnosis and had been prescribed CPAP. A smaller proportion patients in the diabetes program than in the CRP had discontinued CPAP (22.2% vs 45.2%; P = .03) with discomfort being the greatest barrier. Three of the 7 patients (42.9%) who had contact with their physician resumed CPAP. Of the remaining 246 patients who scored high on ≥1 questionnaire (77.6%; n = 191) and returned the 6-month questionnaire (53.9%; n = 103), communication of risk assessment resulted in 49.5% (n = 51) of patients consulting with their physician. Of those, half were referred for polysomnography. All were diagnosed with OSA. CONCLUSION: More than three quarters of patients in diabetes and CRPs scored high on ≥1 questionnaire suggesting signs/symptoms of OSA. However, only 16.6% were prescribed CPAP and compliance to treatment was poor (63.3%). Education and communication of OSA risk with patients and physicians resulted in a de novo diagnosis in at least 1 of 10 patients screened and 16.7% restarted CPAP.