Effect of Education Based on Illness Perception on Glycemic Control in Diabetic Patients

Prevention of complications associated with diabetes, besides the reduction of mortality and economic costs, are the most important goals of diabetes management. To achieve these goals, glycemic control, which requires education, is essential. Patients adhere to recommendations and guidelines when they have a clear understanding and perception of their disease. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of education based on illness perception on glycemic control in patients with diabetes.

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 78 diabetic patients, referred to Quchan Clinic, Quchan, Iran. The participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n=38) or control (n=40) group. For data collection, the revised version of the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) was used, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level was measured before and after the intervention. The intervention group participated in two educational sessions (education based on illness perception), each lasting about 45 minutes. The subjects were assessed three months after the intervention, and the results were analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Three months after the intervention, the mean HbA1c level (9.28±1.318 vs. 8.33±1.422) and illness perception (132.53±12.971 vs. 159.47±9.772) changed significantly in the intervention group, compared to the pre-intervention phase. According to the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), the serum level of HbA1c significantly changed after the intervention, compared to the pre-intervention phase (P<0.001).

According to the present findings, the intervention could improve illness perception in diabetic patients, leading to higher glycemic control.