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Effects of Self‐Monitoring of Blood Glucose on Quality of Life in Elderly Diabetic Patients
Author(s) -
Gilden Janice L.,
Casia Carla,
Hendryx Michael,
Singh Sant P.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1990.tb02399.x
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , glycosuria , glycemic , quality of life (healthcare) , cronbach's alpha , blood glucose monitoring , self monitoring , blood glucose self monitoring , gerontology , psychometrics , nursing , clinical psychology , endocrinology , continuous glucose monitoring , psychology , social psychology
Self‐monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) has been associated with improvement in diabetes knowledge and glycemic control in young and middle‐aged diabetic patients. This study investigated the influences of SMBG on the quality of life in 20 older diabetic individuals, aged 60 to 79 years with duration of diabetes 15.6 ± 2.3 (SD) years. Questionnaires (Cronbach's alpha reliability = .93) were administered regarding the impact of four aspects of diabetic self‐care—general factors, diet, medications, and monitoring blood or urine—on quality of life. Each category was scored separately. Data were analyzed comparing individuals using SMBG with those monitoring glycosuria. Older patients showed acceptance of SMBG with respect to performance, lack of time consumption, ease of record keeping, and less embarrassment. Individuals performing SMBG reported better medication compliance than those monitoring glycosuria. No differences were observed between the two groups for general factors, diet, or the overall perception of quality of life. Both groups of patients reported that diabetes and performing self‐care techniques did not significantly interfere with their lifestyle. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that self‐care techniques, such as SMBG, do not negatively influence the perception of quality of life in older people.