Spouses’ educational needs and perceptions of health in partners with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background: The importance of spousal support in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patient management is often neglected. We prospectively investigated spouses' needs for T2DM information, and whether their perceptions of health changes in their diabetic partners correlated with changes in objective and subjective health parameters for the partners. Methods: Spouses and partners with T2DM (n=52 per group) were followed for two years. Questionnaires on T2DM information/education and general health perception of themselves and their partners were given to spouses at start and end of study. Perceived changes in partners' health were compared with changes in objective (10-year Framingham coronary heart disease risk) and subjective (health-related quality-of-life [EuroQoL]) measures. Results: Spouses' (mean age±SD 58±10 years, n=42 females) self-reported needs for T2DM information/education were high at both assessments (61.5%/76.7%; 46.2%/63.0%, respectively). General health of diabetic partners (mean age 60±8 years, n=42 males) was perceived as improved by 10%, worsened by 27% and unchanged by 63% of spouses. Significant correlations were observed between spouses who perceived improvements in partners' health, and subjective and objective parameters of partners' health (EuroQoL scores increased by 18; Framingham risk reduced by 2.0±3.0%); similar correlations were observed in spouses who perceived worsening of partners' health (EuroQoL scores decreased by 7±15; Framingham risk increased by 1.7±4.1%). Spouses' results showed moderate sensitivity for capturing health worsening in relation to increase in Framingham risk (57%); specificity in relation to no change or reduction in Framingham risk was high (74%). Conclusion: Spouses' needs for T2DM information/education were high. Perceived changes in partners' health significantly correlated with subjective and objective outcome data. Further studies should investigate whether spouses' perceptions of negative changes could be used to trigger more intensive T2DM management strategies.

Everyday Living with Diabetes Described by Family Members of Adult People with Type 1 Diabetes

“…Similar results have been found by Stödberg et al [21]. For support the person with diabetic family members needs knowledge and education [27]. In this study, the family members experience lack of knowledge.…”

Family Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Management: Psychometric Testing

“…Current models for T2DM education do not meet the educational needs of families. Family members, when educated, may be able to evaluate changes in the health status of their family member with T2DM and advocate for their subsequent care (Orvik, Ribu, & Johansen, 2010), provide emotional and psychological support for T2DM management (Hu, Wallace, McCoy, & Amirehsani, 2014), enhance physical and emotional functioning for their family member with T2DM, and decrease negative coping style that could potentially contribute to diabetes-related distress (Karlsen, Oftedal, & Bru, 2012). …”

High anxiety and depressive symptoms in partners of type 1 diabetes persons in a sample of the Brazilian population

“…The lack of diabetes education and support for T1D family members was demonstrated in DAWN 2 study [19]. Several studies reinforce the need of including T1D partners in educational programs, not only to contribute to disease management of their spouses, but also to emotionally help the family members themselves [43,[45][46][47].…”