EXPLORING THE LEVEL OF DIABETIC SELF-CARE OF PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PRIOR TO CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT SURGERY: A DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increasingly widespread and pervasive issue across various populations. The progression of T2DM often exacerbates the development of life-threatening cardiovascular complications which eventually begets the need for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries. Given the chronicity of T2DM, its disease-management is often embedded in the individual’s lifestyle. Diabetic self-care is an aspect of the individual’s lifestyle that may be manipulated to reduce the risks of developing CAD. However, the levels of diabetic self-care prior to CABG surgeries have yet to be explored in Singapore. Aims: This study aimed to explore the (1) levels of diabetic self-care prior to CABG surgery and (2) associations between sociodemographic groups and these levels of diabetic self-care. Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional quantitative study, using convenience sampling, was conducted on individuals with T2DM who were about to undergo elective CABG surgery, in a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Sociodemographic characteristics were elicited and the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) assessment tool was used to measure the levels of diabetic self-care. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests and multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results: Participants generally reported suboptimal T2DM self-care levels. Univariate analyses determined significant associations between attending yearly T2DM check-ups and better Specific Diet subscale SDSCA scores (p = 0.029) and between ethnicity and Foot Care subscale SDSCA scores (p = 0.004). Through multiple regression analysis, attending yearly T2DM check-ups was determined as a significant predictor of total SDSCA scores (p = 0.038). Conclusion: This study’s findings suggest the benefits of attending yearly T2DM screening on diabetic self-care levels. These benefits may perpetuate through improved levels of diabetic health literacy, diabetic self-management education and an increase in awareness of their own T2DM conditions