Patients with diabetes have unique self-care requirements. The level of social support may be a key variable in its successful management. Identifying clinical characteristics that are related to lower levels of social support is an important consideration.
Purpose: This study describes the association in diabetes patients (ICD-9-CM 250) between their comorbidities as an indicator of disease burden and patient perceived social support.
Methods: As part of ‘The 1999 Health Survey of Veterans,’ 59.4% (178,299/300,000) completed the social support questionnaire module that included 5 items from a well-validated Medical Outcomes Study social support scale. Questions within the module also included a range of items about social support including companionship, physical assistance, and intimacy/personal relationship issues. A validated comorbidity index using ICD-9-CM codes were used to determine the number of medical (range 0-34) and mental (range 0-6) conditions.
Results: 35,709 (20%) of those who responded to the social support questionnaire had been diagnosed with diabetes. On average patients were 67 years of age, 74% white and 98% male. There was a mean of 4.25 medical conditions per patient (in addition to their diabetes) and 0.45 mental conditions. Lower levels of social support were associated with more comorbidities (p< 0.0001), after adjusting for age, gender, and race.
Conclusions: Clinicians should consider the availability of social support in diabetics with more comorbid disease because these patients’ lack of assistance and companionship may negatively affect their selfcare.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to discuss the comorbidity index and the varying levels of support in patients' with diabetes
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Office of Performance & Quality, Veterans Health Administration
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment