Barriers and Motivations for the Metabolic Control of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Assisted in a Tertiary Service in a City in Brazil

AIMS: To evaluate the main barriers and motivations for metabolic control in patients with Diabetes Mellitus.

METHODS: 101 patients assisted at the Endocrinology and Metabology service with clinical and laboratory diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes were invited to participate in the research and answer a questionnaire developed by the authors, consisting of 65 questions, to assess barriers and treatment motivations.

RESULTS: There was a predominance of females (75.2%), low education level (57.4%), income between 1.5-3.0 minimum wages (60.4%), Catholic affiliation (65.3%) and use of oral antidiabetic associated with insulin (43.6%). Patients demonstrated knowledge about the disease and the importance of maintaining good metabolic control. Most reported family support and acceptance in respect to the fact of suffering from diabetes, as well as stress related to eventual symptoms. The main motivating factors found were family relationships and personal religiosity.

CONCLUSION: Ignorance and misunderstanding of some aspects of the disease, lack of support from the health system and non-acceptance of the disease are factors that interfere in the control. On the other hand, family relationships and religious engagement were considered highly motivating factors, encouranging patients to search for metabolic control and quality of life.