KNOWLEDGE IN DIABETIC PATIENTS ABOUT THE DISEASE AND ITS COMPLICATIONS

OBJECTIVE To assess the knowledge of diabetic patients about their disease and its complications.DESIGN Cross sectional study done in Diabetic patients attending outpatient Department of Diabetology, Coimbatore Medical College Hospital during the month of July 2011.METHODS Known diabetic patients were included in the study irrespective of their duration of illness. All patients were given a prescribed proforma containing questions regarding diabetes, its complications and management. The parameters were tabulated and analysed using SPSS version 17.RESULTS Out of 200 patients, 99 were males (49.5) and 101 were females (50.5). Of the patients 36 were between the age group of 30 to 40 yrs, 62 within 40 to 50 yrs, 67 within 50 to 60 yrs and 35 above the age of 60 yrs. Only 4 of the study population were aware that Diabetes is due to elevated blood sugar levels. With regard to complications, 22 were aware about eye problems, 20 about cardiac problems, 8 about stroke