Iranian Journal of Diabetes and Obesity
Volume:6 Issue: 3, Autumn 2014

Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem worldwide. The diabetes self-care behavior is an effective strategy to control diabetes. The study aimed to investigate the predictors of self-care behavior based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) among type 2 diabetic patients. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 390 diabetic patients referred to Hamadan Diabetes Research Center with a simple random sampling method. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire including demographic characteristics, self-care behaviors and HBM constructs. Data were analyzed using parametric tests in SPSS-19 software. According to the findings, the diabetic patients had a moderate level of self-care behaviors. Also results showed that, HBM explained 29.6% of the variance in frequency of self-care behaviors. Perceived self-efficacy, perceived severity, perceived barrier and perceived susceptibility were the best significant predictors (P<0.05). The researchers suggest to promote self-care behaviors, preparing training packages tailored to the needs of diabetic patients with emphasis on increasing self-efficacy and removal barriers of normal self-care behaviors are necessary.

Diabetes is now known as one of the chronic diseases that besides body have negative effects on the psychological status of patients. The present study aimed to assess the physical and mental attributes of patients to evaluate and compare life expectancy and mental health among diabetic patients with normal ones. This was an analytic cross-sectional study, that was done on 91 adults about 30 to 60 years old in Kermanshah that 51 had type 2 diabetic patients and 40 was normal. The Sampling method of this research was convenience. Life Expectancy Inventory (LEI-33) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to collect information. SPSS-16, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and T-test were used for analyzing data. Analyzing data showed a negative significant correlation between life expectancy and general health among adults (P<0.01). T-test results showed that life expectancy and general health status in non-patients was better than type 2 diabetic patients that this difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The results of this study showed that type 2 diabetic patients have too much psychological pressure exposure, which reduces their hope to live. Hence of psychotherapy and pharmacological interventions is needed to improve the psychological care as well.

This study was done to explore the relationship between components of metabolic syndrome and smoking. In this analytical cross-sectional study in Ahvaz, south west of Iran, the gathering data sheet was completed. Body mass index, abdominal and waist circumference, Fasting Blood sugar, Triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured. Atherogenic index, predictor of myocardial infarction, and Brinkman index to investigate cumulative impact of cigarette smoking was calculated. Of the 944 participants, 16.1% were smokers. Among male participants, 24.8% and in female participants, 8.7% were smokers. There was no significant correlation between cigarette smoking and metabolic syndrome. Systolic blood pressure, waist circumference and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in smokers. Comparison of Atherogenic index in participants with and without metabolic syndrome in smokers and non-smokers showed significant difference. In male participants, Atherogenic index was higher than female. Brinkman index showed no significant relationship with metabolic syndrome and its components. Smoking does not show relationship with metabolic syndrome, but has a relationship with mean systolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride levels and waist circumference. Atherogenic index was higher in participants with metabolic syndrome, cigarette smoking and male gender. Brinkman index had no correlation with metabolic syndrome and its components.

Chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus have negative effects on physical and mental health. Depression is the most common psychological problems in this group of patients. The purpose of this study was to predict depression symptoms based on self-efficacy and social support. A total of 130 patients with diabetes recruited from several clinics in Shiraz. The participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey (MOSSS) and the Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale (DSES). Results indicated that 22% of the patients with diabetes experienced the symptoms of depression. The findings also showed a significant association between low level of self-efficacy and social support and depression. The study also showed that self-efficacy and social support significantly predicted the lower rate of depression. The study findings indicated that patients with a lower level of self-efficacy and social support were more likely to experience the symptoms of depression. This study highlights the importance of self-efficacy and social support on patient's mental health.

The autoimmune diseases tend to coexist with diabetes mellitus type I (T1DM). The concomitance of these two types of diseases will lead to poor glycemic control beside their own complications. In this study the prevalence of thyroid disorder and celiac disease among T1DM patients in Yazd, Iran was evaluated. all the patients diagnosed as T1DM in Yazd younger than 18 years old were investigated for the presence of thyroid disorders and celiac by measuring T3, free T4, TSH, Anti TPO and anti-tTG IgA. In positive celiac disease laboratory tes, intestinal biopsy was done to confirm the presence of this disease. Data gathered from all patients were analyzed using SPSS software version 18th. Eighty one patients consist of 38 boys and 43 girls involved in our study. Six patients (7.4%) consist of 4 girls and 2 boys presented hypothyroidism with positive Anti TPO. Two patients (2.4%) presented positive anti-tTG IgA that both were confirmed by intestinal biopsy. due to the considerable prevalence of thyroid disorders and celiac disease among T1DM patients, serologically screening for autoimmune diseases and then annually for any new onset is suggested.

Sexual dysfunction is considered as an important health problems. Chronic diseases such as diabetes can have negative effect on sexual function. This study aims to determine the level of sexual dysfunction in male patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 in Yazd Diabetics Research Center. This descriptive study involved 69 male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Yazd Diabetes Research Center- 2014. The Questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic characteristics of patients and the IIEF questionnaire (the International Index of sexual function). Data analysis was performed by using SPSS software version 21, and by using descriptive statistics, mean, standard deviation and statistical tests of Fisher' exact and T-test. The mean of age, height and weight of participants were 51.44 year, 171.14 cm, 77.55 kg, respectively. Through 15 items surveyed, lowest mean is related to the question attempted to intercourse (1.20±0.40) and the highest average related to the question marriage satisfaction (3.50±0.50). According to the results, most of the participants were in trouble in making erection and frequency of intercourse. Informing the patient as the first and most effective ways of prevention and treatment is essential.

Apoptosis is a complex network of biochemical and molecular pathway with fine regulatory mechanisms that control the death event during several pathological situations in multi cellular organisms. It is the part of normal development that occurs in a variety of diseases and is known as aberrant apoptosis. Pancreatic β cell apoptosis is also a pathological feature which is common in both type 1 and type 2diabetes. There are several reasons through which apoptosis can be induced in β-cell. Metabolic abnormalities such as hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia have been cited as critical mediator of cell death and may either trigger β-cell apoptosis. Persistent hyperglycemia causes increased production of free radicals that can damage initial β-cell in type I diabetes, impaired insulin production, release or function in type II diabetes. Also apoptosis plays an important role in several diabetic complications. The role of metabolic factors and their mechanism in β-cell apoptosis have been surveyed in this paper.