Psychosocial aspects of diabetes mellitus

Dr E E Young, Consultant Endocrinologist, Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria; and Dr C N Unachukwu, Consultant Endocrinologist, Department of Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Correspondence to: Dr E E Young. Email: [email protected] Introduction An individual’s health behaviour is influenced by his or her social, economic, cultural, and physical environment. Medical experts have reported on the psychological components of almost all diseases, particularly chronic illnesses such as diabetes mellitus. Psychological well-being is itself an important goal of medical care, and psychosocial factors are relevant to nearly all aspects of diabetes management. Lifestyle disorders, such as diabetes, are chronic and require a different yardstick for management. Acute medical conditions usually have defined points of onset, course, cure, or death. Lifestyle disorders are neither so well defined, nor do they depend solely on medical treatment. Lifestyle changes are equally important in addition to medical interventions in the management of chronic medical disorders. Patient participation is crucial in the management of diabetes. In addition to lifestyle changes, patients are also expected to practice self-monitoring of treatment and to be involved in other aspects of prevention of complications, such as proper foot care. All these may appear very burdensome to the patient and this can impact negatively on the overall feeling of well being.