scholarly journals Self-Care Experiences of Empty-Nest Elderly Living With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Qualitative Study From China

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Lv ◽  
Doris S. F. Yu ◽  
Yingjuan Cao ◽  
Jinghua Xia

BackgroundThe number of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) cases among empty-nest elderly increases with increasing aging in China. Self-care plays an important role in preventing and reducing adverse outcomes of diabetes; however, few studies focus on self-care experiences of empty-nest elderly with T2DM.ObjectiveTo explore self-care experiences for a chronic disease among empty-nest elderly patients with T2DM in mainland China.MethodsA descriptive phenomenological design was used in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for 15 empty-nesters with T2DM. Interviews were implemented in department of endocrinology at a tertiary teaching hospital located in Shandong province, east of China.ResultsThe participants were poorly adept with monitoring their blood glucose and lacked the ability to deal with abnormal blood glucose levels. Most participants had a good relationship with medication and physical activity. Living without children was perceived as a benefit that improved dietary management and is a disadvantage in terms of economic and emotional support and access to medical resources. Elderly empty-nesters also lacked knowledge about diabetes and paid little attention to potential complications.ConclusionEmpty-nest elderly patients with T2DM value medication compliance and lifestyle modification more than blood glucose monitoring, complication prevention, and coping with negative emotions. Friends and spouses play indispensable roles in patients’ self-care motivation and maintenance. Diabetes education on self-care, access to medical resources, and social support is needed for better diabetes management.

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 205873921879232
Author(s):  
Yan Xiong ◽  
Jianhong Tao ◽  
Li Cai ◽  
Yijia Tang ◽  
Qiyong Li

This study is to observe the distribution of intestinal flora and the changes of inflammatory factors in elderly patients with myocardial ischemia complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 106 elderly patients with myocardial ischemia complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (complicated group), 106 elderly patients with simple type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetic group), and 106 healthy elderly people (control group) were selected. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), 1-h postprandial blood glucose (1hPG), 2-h postprandial blood glucose (2hPG), 3-h postprandial blood glucose (3hPG), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in complicated group and the diabetic group were higher than those in the control group ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The duration of diabetes, FBG, 3hPG, and HbA1c in the complicated group were higher than those in the diabetic group, while the 2hPG was lower than that in the diabetic group ( P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the number of Enterobacteria in the diabetic group and complicated group was increased, while the numbers of Bacteroides, Bifidobacteria, and Lactobacillus were decreased ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the diabetic group, the number of Enterobacteria in complicated group was increased, while the numbers of Bacteroides, Bifidobacteria, and Lactobacillus were decreased ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with control group, the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and C-reactive protein (CRP) decreased in the diabetic group and complicated group, and the lowest in the complicated group. Conversely, the levels of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and interleukin 12 (IL-2) increased in the diabetic group and complicated group, and the highest in the complicated group ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the duration of diabetes, HbA1c, Enterobacteria, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 were the influencing factors of myocardial ischemia complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In conclusion, in the elderly patients with myocardial ischemia complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the number of intestinal probiotics and the level of anti-inflammatory factors decreased, and the number of pathogenic bacteria and the level of inflammatory factors increased. Enterobacteria, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 may play an important role in the development of myocardial ischemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus.


Author(s):  
Mike Stedman ◽  
Rustam Rea ◽  
Christopher J. Duff ◽  
Mark Livingston ◽  
Katie McLoughlin ◽  
...  

1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Barzizza ◽  
G Belloni ◽  
E Trespi ◽  
A Venturini ◽  
I Richichi

Inibition of platelet aggregation is of value in therapy for Transient Ischemic Attacks(TIA).We observed 2 consecutive elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM)and TIA,in whom chronic treatment with Indobufen(I) provoked a reduction of blood glucose levels; for this reason we started a cross-over study to assess the possible hypoglycemic effect of I in elderly patients with DM.Ten patients(5 males,mean age 75±5 years)with DM and TIA have been included in our study. After 1 month of diet treatment(1)all patients took either placebo tablets 2)or I 200mg every 12 hours for 4 weeks in a random cross-over fashion.After each period a daily blood glucose profile has been obteined. Results are the following:Indobufen in the dose of 200 mg every 12 hours has an hypoglycemic effect. This side effect can be dangerous in patients already treated with hypoglycemic agents, but can be usefull as a single drug therapy for aged patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic vascular disease.


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