Abstract

Background: At present India is considered as the diabetic capital of the world. Studies have shown that patients’ knowledge about the treatment and complications of diabetes is limited especially with regard to preventive aspects.

Objectives:  To assess the knowledge about Diabetes Mellitus, its treatment and complications in diabetic patients.

Methodology: This was a cross sectional study using a structured questionnaire, conducted in diabetic patients attending a secondary care hospital. The patients were chosen by convenient sampling.

Results: 100 patients were interviewed to collect data. Of the 100 patients, 49% thought diabetes can be prevented. Forty patients told that they can stop medicines once the blood sugar becomes normal. Though 90% of patients told that diabetes affects the eyes, only 69% patients told that they should have regular eye check up done.

Conclusions: Patients’ knowledge about diabetes mellitus is limited. There is a definite need to empower patients with the knowledge required to help them obtain the maximum benefit from their treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, knowledge, treatment.