Standard of knowledge about their disease among patients with diabetes in Karachi, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the standard of knowledge among people with diabetes. METHOD Two hundred and thirty patients were randomly chosen from outpatient clinics and a 34-item multiple choice questionnaire administered to them. The questionnaire was structured to assess knowledge about the disease state, diagnostic tests, complications and management. RESULTS The average score of correct answers for the group was 40%. A significantly higher score correlated with younger age (16-30 years), educational status and regular follow-up with a diabetic clinic. There was no significant difference in the knowledge score between males and females or between those on oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) and insulin. Fifty percent of the patients could correctly answers questions regarding food and nutrition and only 60% were aware of target blood glucose levels for optimal control. It was alarming to learn that 75% of those on insulin did not know that using U-40 or U-100 insulin does not change the dose required. CONCLUSION The study emphasizes the need for diabetes education at all levels, both for the patients as well as the health care providers to counter the pandemic of diabetes-related complications globally.