The effect of cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients based on literacy level, knowledge and behavior related diabetic disease

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the major diabetic phenomenon leading to early death. The incidence of cardiovascular disease is reduced by controling blood pressure (BP), lipid modification and blood glucose level. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients based on literacy level, knowledge and diabetic-related behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in diabet clinic in Bandar Abbas, Iran. 256 diabetic patients were enrolled during July, June and August 2007. Patients were classified into 2 groups: Literate and, Low-literate. Cardiovascular risk factors including HbA1c, LDL-cholesterol, Triglyceride (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC) and HDLCholesterol were measured by enzymatic methods. With 2 standard questionnaires we evaluated knowledge, attitude and behavior related diabetes in these patients. In addition we measured blood pressure and BMI by standard methods. Data analysis was carried out with one way ANOVA, t-test and correlation analysis. Results: 52% of patients were illiterate and 73% of patients had BMI more than 25. The mean BMI and TG in females were significantly greater than men (P<0.05). The those in mean LDL in illiterate patients were higher than in low-literate patients. Knowledge and diabetic-related altitude in illiterate patients was significantly lower than the other group. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between blood glucose levels in both groups. The effect of cardiovascular risk factors among illiterates was higher. Hence we suggest that implementing a punctual educational intervention for each group could be useful.