Diabetes Mellitus Type2 and Popular Misconceptions: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires long-term close management to prevent complications. One of the most important barriers to treatment is common misconceptions surrounding different areas related to this disease such as etiological causes, dietary information, medical treatment, long-term laboratory testing, and complications. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 390 patients with Diabetes Mellitus type 2 were enrolled through convenient sampling method from different Diabetes centers. A Validated set of questions about the etiology of DM, dietary information, medical treatment, and complications was used to extract data. The results were analyzed with Chi-square test using SPSS software v. 24. Results: A total of 390 subjects (mean age 56 ± 13.4 years, 58% females) enrolled in the survey. The most common misbeliefs regarding diabetes mellitus, extracted from this study are as follows: Only solid oils are fattening (302, 77.4%), patients with diabetes are allowed to consume dried mulberry in any amount (201, 51.5%), diabetes is only a hereditary disease (177, 45.3%), only obese people can get diabetes (167, 42.8%), and patients with diabetes are allowed to consume fruits in any amount because fruit sugar is natural (143, 36.6%). Conclusion: Patients have different misconceptions about the pathogenesis and management of diabetes mellitus. As myths can affect glycemic control adversely, patient education should be an important part of patient management.