RESUMEN
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe positively and negatively perceived situations experienced by adults with type 1 diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring and the actions they take to deal with these situations. BACKGROUND: Real-time continuous glucose monitoring has been shown to improve glycaemic control and reduce hypoglycaemia. Although many patients with type 1 diabetes report great benefits when using continuous glucose monitoring, a substantial number discontinue using the device. Little is known about the different situations and experiences with the daily use of continuous glucose monitoring that contribute to such differences. DESIGN: A descriptive design based on the critical incident technique was used. The study complied with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) (see File S1). METHODS: Individual interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 23 adults with type 1 diabetes, including current and former users of continuous glucose monitoring from four different outpatient clinics. RESULTS: The participants described that they felt that the use of continuous glucose monitoring was a balance between benefits and barriers, and how, through their actions, they tried to adapt their use of continuous glucose monitoring to fit their lifestyles. Various life events affected and altered the balance between benefits and barriers and thus affected their use of continuous glucose monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous glucose monitoring is perceived as an effective and important tool in the self-management of diabetes type 1. It enables a better everyday life and increased satisfaction with treatment. At the same time, the use of continuous glucose monitoring can be both demanding and challenging. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Understanding the complex interplay between perceived benefits, treatment burden and adherence to continuous glucose monitoring use is important for nurses engaged in diabetes care. Education and support regarding the use of continuous glucose monitoring must be based on the understanding and perspectives of the patient to alleviate stress and barriers and enhance self-efficacy. As the use of continuous glucose monitoring can change over time, this must be a continuous process beyond initial training.
Asunto(s)
Automonitorización de la Glucosa Sanguínea/psicología , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/psicología , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Satisfacción del Paciente , Investigación Cualitativa , Automanejo/psicologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are common complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), with a complex pathogenesis. Treatment is difficult and no single treatment with measurable clinical impact is available. In the present clinical pilot trial, we investigated whether statins could be of use against some of the pathogenic factors in DFUs. METHODS: Thirteen diabetic patients (10 men; 11 with Type 2 DM; mean age 64 years; mean duration of DM 18 years) with neuropathic DFUs <4 months were randomized to treatment with either 10 mg (six patients; six ulcers) or 80 mg (seven patients; nine ulcers) atorvastatin for 6 months in addition to conventional DFU care (i.e. prompt debridement, DFU pressure relief, and management of any underlying infection). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in background factors (i.e. HbA1c 8.9%, micro- and macrovascular complications, concomitant medications) or DFU characteristics (duration, surface area, grading) between the two groups. All ulcers in the group receiving 10 mg atorvastatin healed, compared with six of nine ulcers in the group receiving 80 mg atorvastatin (NS). However, two previously healed DFUs recurred and six new DFUs developed in the low-dose group compared with none and one, respectively, in the high-dose group (P = 0.048). There was a significant decrease in C-reactive protein (-1.5 mg/L; P = 0.044) and a non-significant trend towards beneficial effects on lipids and the ankle-arm blood pressure index in the high-dose compared with the low-dose group. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a possible beneficial effect of 6-months high-dose atorvastatin on DFUs, which should be tested in appropriately sized prospective studies.