Knowledge and Awareness of Diabetes Mellitus and its Complications in Diabetic Patients in Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: Diabetes is one of the largest global health emergencies of this century, ranking among the 10 leading causes of mortality. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder marked by hyperglycemia due to impairments in insulin production, insulin function, or both. Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of DM, the occurrence of related complications remains significantly high. Aim: This study aims to evaluate diabetic patients’ awareness of complications and how it influences their compliance with treatment. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Biochemistry in association with Department of General Medicine, NRI Institute of Medical Sciences, Andhra Pradesh, India. This study involved 500 individuals aged over 15 years with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, of both genders, who consented to participate and were selected through convenience sampling. The study lasted 7 months. Using social media sites, a predefined questionnaire was distributed to the patients who came to General Medicine OP. The questionnaire covered all the necessary data. Results: In our study, majority of patients are in age group of ≥ 50 years, 249 (49%) 500 patients. Only 20 (4%) patients are in age group of 18-30 years. 31-50 years of age group were 235 (47%). In this study, majority were females, 310 (62%), indicating the incidence of DM is higher in female. Most of the patients are Illiterate 320 (64%) and 420 (84%) patients are from rural background. Concerned with duration of diabetes, 80 (16%) have DM from 1yr. 175 (35%) have DM from 1-5 yrs.   95 (19%) have DM from 5-10 yrs. 150 (30%) of patients have DM from ≥10yrs. Majority of patients have DM from 1-5 yrs. Concerned with diabetic complications; 210 (42%) patients are aware of complications related to DM. In this study, 280 (56%) were advised to take anti-diabetic medications. Only 20 (4%) patients were advised insulin shots, 110 (22%) patients were advised both antidiabetic drugs and insulin. Out of 500 patients 280 (56%) exercised regularly. Only 140 (28%) DM patients own Glucometer and are conscious of regular monitoring of their blood glucose. In this study, 85 (17%) patients test their blood sugar every week. 45 (9%) patients test in every 2 weeks. 210 (42%) test every 3 weeks. In last month 160 (32%) DM patients have not tested their blood glucose. In this study, 255 (51%) patients demonstrated awareness of the symptoms of hypoglycemia, whereas 245 (49%) reported a lack of awareness. In this, 210 (42%) patients were aware that diabetes mellitus can affect vital organs such as the heart, nervous system, and kidneys. Regarding healthcare-seeking behavior for diabetes management, 415 (83%) patients reported visiting a general physician, 40 (8%) consulted an endocrinologist. When asked about the frequency of medical consultations for diabetes, 170 (34%) patients reported visiting a doctor 5 or more times per year, 95 (19%) visited 3 to 4 times per year. Notably, 125 (25%) patients reported never visiting a doctor for their diabetes. In terms of specialized diabetes care, 85 (17%) patients had visited a diabetes educator. However, the majority 385 (77%) reported not consulting any such health professionals. With respect to self-examination of feet in the past month, 335 (67%) patients reported not examining their feet at all, 145 (29%) examined their feet 1 to 3 times. With regard to eye examinations, 180 (36%) patients had undergone an eye check-up within the past year. Notably, 230 (46%) patients reported never having had their eyes checked. When asked about sexual health, only 5 (1%) patients reported having been treated for or experienced erectile dysfunction/loss of libido. The majority 420 (84%) denied such issues. Conclusion: Our findings underscore substantial gaps in awareness, self‐care, and utilization of specialist/support services among diabetic patients. These gaps likely translate into preventable morbidity. Interventions are urgently required at multiple levels: patient education, healthcare delivery, screening, and systemic support to improve quality of life and reducing healthcare burden.