A qualitative research on influencing factors of low carbohydrate diet management compliance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective To explore the influencing factors of low carbohydrate diet (LCD) management compliance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) so as to provide a basis for improving diet compliance of patients. Methods From May to September 2019, we selected 16 T2DM patients participating in LCD project for three months in Department of Endocrinology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University as interviewees by purposive sampling. The semi-structured interview was carried out for them, and Colaizzi analysis was used to interview data sorting and analysis. Results A total of two themes were extracted, the promoting factors and obstructing factors. The promoting factors included the perceived benefits, positive psychological effect, multiplex social support, strengthening diet and blood glucose management as well as operational diet plan; the obstructing factors involved the perceived no benefits, difference between diet knowledge and actual demand, diet habit facing a challenge, increasing social role stress, difficulty carrying out diet plan. Conclusions LCD management compliance of T2DM patients have many influencing factors. Patients, family members and medical staff should be paid attention to integrated management of LCD for diabetic patients in future. Key words: Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Low carbohydrate diet management; Compliance; Influencing factors; Qualitative research