Jonas Gordilho Souza|Daniel Apolinário|Regina Miksian Magaldi|Alexandre Leopold Busse|Flávia Campora|Wilson Jacob?Filho
Functional health literacy and glycaemic control in older adults with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study
Universidade de São Paulo|Universidade de São Paulo|Universidade de São Paulo|Universidade de São Paulo|Universidade de São Paulo|Universidade de São Paulo
h3objectivesh3 investigate relationship functional health literacy glycaemic control sample older patients type 2 diabetes h3designh3 crosssectional study h3settingh3 governmentfinanced outpatient geriatric clinic paulo brazil h3participantsh3 129 older patients type 2 diabetes mean sd age 759 62 years mean glycosylated haemoglobin hba1c 72 14 147 formal education 829 less highschool diploma h3measuresh3 hba1c used measure glycaemic control functional health literacy assessed 18item short assessment health literacy portuguesespeaking adults sahlpa18 validated instrument evaluate pronunciation comprehension commonly used medical terms regression models controlled demographic data depressive symptoms diabetes duration treatment regimen diabetes knowledge assistance taking medications h3resultsh3 functional health literacy adequate encountered 566 sample controlling potential confounding factors patients inadequate functional health literacy likely patients adequate functional health literacy present poor glycaemic control or476 95 ci 136 1663 fully adjusted linear regression model lower functional health literacy 042 plt0001 longer diabetes duration 024 p0012 lack assistance taking medications 023 p0014 associated higher levels hba1c contrary expectations illiterate patients poorer outcomes compared patients adequate functional health literacy raising hypothesis illiterate individuals likely difficulties recognised compensated however small subsample illiterate patients provided limited power reject differences small magnitude h3conclusionsh3 patients inadequate functional health literacy presented higher odds poor glycaemic control findings reinforce importance addressing limited functional health literacy clinical practice