A Study to Assess the Knowledge Regarding Management of Modifiable Risk Factors of Coronary Artery Disease Among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in a Selected Diabetic OPD of Dharwad District with a View to Develop an Information Guide Sheet

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: Diabetic patients exhibit an increased risk for development of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease for many reasons, including metabolic factors, like hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, which lead to endothelial cell injury, vascular smooth muscle dysfunction, impaired platelet function and abnormal coagulation. And diabetes mellitus patients have lipid-rich atherosclerotic plaques, which are more vulnerable to rupture than the non-diabetic patients. Hence; the investigator felt that there is a need to increase the knowledge regarding management of modifiable risk factors of coronary artery disease among patients with diabetes mellitus in a selected diabetic OPD of Hubli-Dharwad district. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: “A study to assess the knowledge regarding management of modifiable risk factors of coronary artery disease among patients with diabetes mellitus in a selected diabetic OPD of Dharwad district with a view to develop an Information Guide Sheet.” OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: To assess the knowledge regarding management of modifiable risk factors of coronary artery disease among patients with diabetes mellitus. To find out an association between knowledge scores with their selected socio-demographic variables. To develop an Information Guide Sheet on management of modifiable risk factors of coronary artery disease among patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive study was conducted among 100 patients with diabetes mellitus in selected OPD of Dharwad district. The samples were selected by Non-Probability; Purposive Sampling Technique. Data was collected by structured knowledge questionnaire. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: Overall results of the study revealed that out of 50 patients with diabetes mellitus, majority of the subjects 34 (68%) had average knowledge, 10 (20%) had good knowledge, and 6 (12%) had poor knowledge regarding management of modifiable risk factors of CAD. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that, knowledge of patients with DM regarding management of modifiable risk factors of CAD was average; therefore, there is an immediate need to initiate preventive measures to raise awareness of these risk factors so that patients with diabetes at high risk for future CAD can be managed. Keywords: Modifiable risk factors; coronary artery disease; Diabetes mellitus; Information Guide Sheet; Patients with diabetes mellitus.