Study protocol for exploring diabetes numeracy and health literacy across Europe (EDUCATE): A multicentre cross-sectional study

IF 3.4 3区医学 Q2 ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM

Diabetic Medicine Pub Date : 2025-09-18 DOI:10.1111/dme.70140

Elisabeth J. den Brok, Cecilie Hornborg-Svensson, Nefeli M. Dimitropoulou, Sofie Broeng-Mikkelgaard, Mikkel T. Olsen, Lubnaa Abdur Rahman, Ioannis Papathanail, Antje Wiede, Juliane Peters, Peter R. Mertens, Eva Zikou, Georgios Karamanakos, Stavros Athanasopoulos, Asimina Mitrakou, Konstantinos Makrilakis, Sander M. J. van Kuijk, Stavroula Mougiakakou, Marleen M. J. van Greevenbroek, Ulrik Pedersen-Bjergaard, Bastiaan E. de Galan, Cassy F. Dingena, the MELISSA consortium

{"title":"Study protocol for exploring diabetes numeracy and health literacy across Europe (EDUCATE): A multicentre cross-sectional study","authors":"Elisabeth J. den Brok, Cecilie Hornborg-Svensson, Nefeli M. Dimitropoulou, Sofie Broeng-Mikkelgaard, Mikkel T. Olsen, Lubnaa Abdur Rahman, Ioannis Papathanail, Antje Wiede, Juliane Peters, Peter R. Mertens, Eva Zikou, Georgios Karamanakos, Stavros Athanasopoulos, Asimina Mitrakou, Konstantinos Makrilakis, Sander M. J. van Kuijk, Stavroula Mougiakakou, Marleen M. J. van Greevenbroek, Ulrik Pedersen-Bjergaard, Bastiaan E. de Galan, Cassy F. Dingena, the MELISSA consortium","doi":"10.1111/dme.70140","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div>\n \n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Aims</h3>\n \n <p>Effective diabetes self-management increasingly depends on the interplay between health literacy, numeracy and digital health literacy, given the growing integration of advanced digital tools into diabetes care routines. Little is known about the current state of these skills among people with insulin-treated diabetes. Therefore, this study aims to assess (digital) health literacy and numeracy in people with diabetes on intensive insulin therapy and to explore their associations with glycaemic control, health behaviours, clinical outcomes and patient-reported outcomes.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Methods</h3>\n \n <p>The <i>Exploring Diabetes Health Literacy and Numeracy across Europe</i> (EDUCATE) study is a multicentre cross-sectional study aiming to recruit 209 adults with type 1, type 2, or pancreatogenic diabetes on intensive insulin therapy in four European outpatient clinics. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires, record their dietary patterns, and wear both a physical activity tracker and a blinded continuous glucose monitor for two weeks. The primary outcome is health literacy, assessed using the validated Health Literacy questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include numeracy, digital health literacy, glycaemic outcomes, health behaviour (e.g., diet and physical activity), and patient-reported-outcomes (e.g., quality-of-life and diabetes distress).</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Results</h3>\n \n <p>Findings will be diseminated through peer-reviewed scientific journals, and academic conferences or media outlets to inform the wider public.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Conclusion</h3>\n \n <p>EDUCATE will assess digital health literacy and numeracy in people with diabetes on intensive insulin regimens across four European countries. A deeper understanding of the current landscape of health literacy and its association with glycaemic outcomes may support the development of targeted interventions. These interventions are aimed at empowering people with diabetes and reducing socio-economic and cultural health disparities.</p>\n </section>\n </div>","PeriodicalId":11251,"journal":{"name":"Diabetic Medicine","volume":"42 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/dme.70140","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Diabetic Medicine","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dme.70140","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Aims

Effective diabetes self-management increasingly depends on the interplay between health literacy, numeracy and digital health literacy, given the growing integration of advanced digital tools into diabetes care routines. Little is known about the current state of these skills among people with insulin-treated diabetes. Therefore, this study aims to assess (digital) health literacy and numeracy in people with diabetes on intensive insulin therapy and to explore their associations with glycaemic control, health behaviours, clinical outcomes and patient-reported outcomes.

Methods

The Exploring Diabetes Health Literacy and Numeracy across Europe (EDUCATE) study is a multicentre cross-sectional study aiming to recruit 209 adults with type 1, type 2, or pancreatogenic diabetes on intensive insulin therapy in four European outpatient clinics. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires, record their dietary patterns, and wear both a physical activity tracker and a blinded continuous glucose monitor for two weeks. The primary outcome is health literacy, assessed using the validated Health Literacy questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include numeracy, digital health literacy, glycaemic outcomes, health behaviour (e.g., diet and physical activity), and patient-reported-outcomes (e.g., quality-of-life and diabetes distress).

Results

Findings will be diseminated through peer-reviewed scientific journals, and academic conferences or media outlets to inform the wider public.

Conclusion

EDUCATE will assess digital health literacy and numeracy in people with diabetes on intensive insulin regimens across four European countries. A deeper understanding of the current landscape of health literacy and its association with glycaemic outcomes may support the development of targeted interventions. These interventions are aimed at empowering people with diabetes and reducing socio-economic and cultural health disparities.

Abstract Image

查看原文本刊更多论文

欧洲糖尿病算术和健康素养研究方案（EDUCATE）：一项多中心横断面研究。

目的：鉴于先进的数字工具日益融入糖尿病护理程序，有效的糖尿病自我管理越来越依赖于健康素养、计算能力和数字健康素养之间的相互作用。目前对胰岛素治疗的糖尿病患者这些技能的现状知之甚少。因此，本研究旨在评估接受强化胰岛素治疗的糖尿病患者的（数字）健康素养和计算能力，并探讨其与血糖控制、健康行为、临床结果和患者报告结果的关系。方法：欧洲糖尿病健康素养和计算能力探索（EDUCATE）研究是一项多中心横断面研究，旨在招募209名1型、2型或胰源性糖尿病患者，在4个欧洲门诊诊所接受强化胰岛素治疗。参与者将被要求完成问卷调查，记录他们的饮食模式，并在两周内佩戴身体活动追踪器和盲法连续血糖监测仪。主要结果是卫生素养，使用有效的卫生素养问卷进行评估。次要结果包括计算能力、数字健康素养、血糖结果、健康行为（如饮食和身体活动）和患者报告的结果（如生活质量和糖尿病困扰）。结果：研究结果将通过同行评议的科学期刊、学术会议或媒体传播，以告知更广泛的公众。结论：EDUCATE将评估四个欧洲国家接受强化胰岛素治疗的糖尿病患者的数字健康素养和计算能力。更深入地了解健康素养的现状及其与血糖结局的关系，可能有助于制定有针对性的干预措施。这些干预措施旨在增强糖尿病患者的权能，减少社会经济和文化健康差距。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Diabetic Medicine 医学-内分泌学与代谢

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

5.70%

发文量

229

审稿时长

3-6 weeks

期刊介绍： Diabetic Medicine, the official journal of Diabetes UK, is published monthly simultaneously, in print and online editions. The journal publishes a range of key information on all clinical aspects of diabetes mellitus, ranging from human genetic studies through clinical physiology and trials to diabetes epidemiology. We do not publish original animal or cell culture studies unless they are part of a study of clinical diabetes involving humans. Categories of publication include research articles, reviews, editorials, commentaries, and correspondence. All material is peer-reviewed. We aim to disseminate knowledge about diabetes research with the goal of improving the management of people with diabetes. The journal therefore seeks to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas between clinicians and researchers worldwide. Topics covered are of importance to all healthcare professionals working with people with diabetes, whether in primary care or specialist services. Surplus generated from the sale of Diabetic Medicine is used by Diabetes UK to know diabetes better and fight diabetes more effectively on behalf of all people affected by and at risk of diabetes as well as their families and carers.”