Factors associated with patient empowerment in Spanish adults with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study is to identify factors associated with patient empowerment in people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Canary Islands (Spain). Methods: Secondary cross-sectional analysis was carried out of data obtained in the INDICA study: A 24-month cluster randomized-controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of educational interventions supported by new technology decision tools for T2DM patients. Sociodemographic variables, clinical data (years since diagnosis, glycated haemoglobin level, creatine, triglycerides, waist hip index, body mass index and number of comorbidities), diabetes knowledge (DIATEK), affective outcomes (Beck Depression Inventory-II, the State subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and The Diabetes Distress Scale) and diabetes-related quality of life (The Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of life) were assessed as potential correlates of patient empowerment, assessed using the Diabetes Empowerment Scale-Short Form. Multilevel mixed linear regression models on patient empowerment were developed. Results: The analysis included the baseline data of 2334 patients. Results showed that age (B = −0.14; p