Family support and glycemic control in diabetic patients of a Hospital of III Level of Care of Paraguay

Abstract

Introduction: diabetes mellitus involves a serious Public Health problem, its control consists in getting the patient to keep their blood glucose levels controlled to prevent multiorgan complications, so adherence to treatment and lifestyle changes are fundamental pillars, where the family as maximum support to the immediate reach of the patient plays a transcendental role. Objetive: to determine the relationship between family support and glycemic control in Type II diabetic patients who attend a Hospital of III Level in Paraguay during July and August 2019. Methods: this was an observational, descriptive study with an analytical component Transversal, the “instrument to measure family support in Type 2 Diabetic” of Valadez Figueroa et al., Validated in 2003 was applied. Patients with Diabetes were questioned about sociodemographic variables and the value in the last HbA1c control. Results: of the 284 diabetes patients surveyed 82 % (202) were women, 46 % (131) were under five years of diagnosis. 67 % (190) had inadequate glucose control. Regarding global family support, 82 % (233) had average family support. A positive association of glycemic decontrol was found in relation to the average family support. Conclusion: there is an association between average family support in patients with diabetes and glycemic lack of control, which demonstrated the importance of the family for the patient to adhere to the treatment agreed upon by the health personnel.