The Impact of Functional Insulin Therapy on the Psychological Aspect of Type Diabetics

Abstract

Functional insulin therapy is an educational method that is part of a strategy to intensify type 1 diabetes in order to optimize the balance of diabetes while improving the psychological aspect of the patient. The Aim: of this study is to assess the impact of functional insulin therapy on the psychological aspect of type 1 diabetics. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective and analytical descriptive study, conducted from March 2019 to August 2019, we included 20 type 1 diabetic patients who benefited from a functional insulin therapy education program and an evaluation of the psychological impact made by a questionnaire and a psychological interview. Results: Out of a total number of 20 patients benefited from education between March 2019 to August 2019: 6 men, 14 women, average age of 20 years, average duration of diabetes of 8 years, 80% are students. Functional insulin therapy is used exclusively in all patients. The questionnaire shows an improvement in the perception of the impact of diabetes in (66%), there is a decrease in anxiety in (75%), With 16 patients or (80%) declaring satisfaction with the method, 12 patients either (60%) declared an acceptance of the treatment, 14 patients or (70%) reported more autonomy and self-management, 8 patients or (40%) reported an improvement in their socio-professional relations, The doctor-patient relationship is improved in (90%) of patients. According to the open questions, functional insulin therapy brings better control of diabetes and food freedom. The difficulties mainly felt are the calculation of the quantities of carbohydrates, the economic constraint: the cost of the insulin pens and capillary blood glucose strips and the multiple injections: more than four times a day and self- monitoring six times a day. Conclusion: The results suggest that learning functional insulin therapy improves the psychological aspect of type 1 diabetics through better control of the disease.