Nursing-Based Diabetes Self-Management Education for Controlling Peripheral Artery Disease in Type 2 Diabetes: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a significant complication of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). PAD is an obstructive atherosclerotic vascular disease that interferes with the arteries, causing problems or changes in the circulation of the legs. Adherence to the four pillars of diabetes management—including diet, physical activity, medication adherence, and monitoring. Objectives: To analyze the effect of Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) on controlling PAD in Type 2 Diabetes. Methods: This research employs a quasi-experimental method and was conducted over 16 weeks, from August to November 2024, at the Gajahan and Pucang Sawit Community Health Centers in Surakarta. The selected respondents were 79, with the criteria of suffering from diabetes for 2 years and not having diabetic foot ulcers. Respondents were divided into two groups: the intervention group, with 40 participants, and the control group, with 39 participants. Results: The analysis revealed a significant difference in ankle-brachial index (ABI) values (p=0.001) and foot sensitivity (p=0.001) between the intervention group and the control group after the intervention. The mean ABI of the intervention group (0.99) was lower than that of the control group (1.16). In contrast, the mean sensitivity of the intervention group (9.74) was higher than the mean of the control group (8.36). Conclusion: DSME can control PAD by improving foot sensitivity, but 3 months is not enough time to improve the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI).