Study on the correlation between dietary social support and diabetes distress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective To explore the status quo of dietary social support and diabetes distress of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a community of Bengbu, and correlation between them.

Methods Using the cluster sampling method, the dietary social support and diabetes distress of 298 diabetic patients in a community in Bengbu were investigated by questionnaires.

Results The score of dietary social support was (3.28±0.72)points, and the total score of diabetic distress was (34.29±12.14)points in diabetic patients. The scores of dietary social support and its various dimensions were negatively correlated with the total score of diabetic distress(r=-0.152 to -0.221, P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). The results of multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that the course of disease and self-adjustment were the influencing factors of diabetic distress in type 2 diabet patients(b=-1.427, -0.678, P < 0.05).

Conclusions Dietary social support and diabetes distress in mellitus patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are both at a moderate level, and the two are weakly negatively correlated. The course of the disease and self-adjustment are the independent influencing factors of diabetes distress. Targeted dietary intervention measures should be developed to improve patients′ dietary self-management ability, and reduce the level of diabetes distress of patients.