Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2015.56.357
The association of lifestyle and stress with poor glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2: a Croatian nationwide primary care cross-sectional study
Valerija Bralić Lang
orcid.org/0000-0002-9142-1569
; Private General Practitioner’s Office, Zagreb, Croatia
Biserka Bergman Marković
orcid.org/0000-0002-3657-4001
; Department of Family Medicine, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Davorka Vrdoljak
; Department of Family Medicine University of Split, School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
Abstract
Aim To assess lifestyle habits and self-reported stress levels
among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and their
association with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in general practitioners’
(GP) offices in Croatia.
Methods 449 GPs from all Croatian regions from 2008 to
2010 consecutively recruited up to 20-25 participants diagnosed
with T2DM at least 3 years prior to the study, aged
≥40 years, and scheduled for diabetes control check-ups.
The recruitment period lasted six months. Lifestyle habits
and self-reported stress were assessed using the questionnaire
from the Croatian Adult Health Survey.
Results The study included 10 285 patients with T2DM
with mean (±standard deviation) age of 65.7 ± 10.05 years
(48.1% men). Mean HbA1c level was 7.57 ± 1.58%. 79% of
participants reported insufficient physical activity, 24% reported
inappropriate dietary patterns, 56% reported current
alcohol consumption, 19% were current smokers, and
85% reported at least medium level of stress. Multivariate
analysis showed that having received advice to stop drinking
alcohol, inadequate physical activity, consumption of
milk and dairy products, adding extra salt, and high level of
stress were significantly associated with increased HbA1c
(P < 0.05).
Conclusion Poor glycemic control was more frequent in
patients who had several “unhealthy” lifestyle habits. These
results suggest that diabetes patients in Croatia require
more specific recommendations on diet, smoking cessation,
exercise, and stress control.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
151544
URI
Publication date:
15.8.2015.
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