Different information needs in subgroups of people with diabetes mellitus: a latent class analysis

Borgmann, Sandra O.; Gontscharuk, Veronika; Sommer, Jana; Laxy, Michael; Ernstmann, Nicole; Karl, Florian M.; Rueckert-Eheberg, Ina-Maria; Schwettmann, Lars; Ladwig, Karl-Heinz; Peters, Annette und Icks, Andrea (2020): Different information needs in subgroups of people with diabetes mellitus: a latent class analysis. In: BMC Public Health, Bd. 20, Nr. 1, 1901

Abstract

BackgroundCurrent evidence suggests that the information needs of people with diabetes mellitus differ across patient groups. With a view to being able to provide individualized information, this study aims to identify (i) the diabetes-related information needs of people with diabetes mellitus;(ii) different subgroups of people with specific information needs;and (iii) associated characteristics of the identified subgroups, such as sociodemographic characteristics, diabetes-related comorbidities, and well-being.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was based on data from 837 respondents with diabetes mellitus who participated in the population-based KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Augsburg Region) Health Survey 2016 in Southern Germany (KORA GEFU 4 study) (45.6% female, mean age 71.1years, 92.8% Type 2 diabetes). Diabetes-related information needs were assessed with a questionnaire asking about patients' information needs concerning 11 diabetes-related topics, e.g. 'long-term complications' and 'treatment/therapy'. Subgroups of people with different information needs and associated characteristics were identified using latent class analysis.ResultsWe identified the following four classes of people with different information needs: 'high needs on all topics', 'low needs on all topics', 'moderate needs with a focus on complications and diabetes in everyday life', and 'advanced needs with a focus on social and legal aspects and diabetes research'. The classes differed significantly in age, years of education, type of diabetes, diabetes duration, diabetes-related comorbidities, smoking behaviour, diabetes education, current level of information, and time preference.ConclusionsKnowledge about different patient subgroups can be useful for tailored information campaigns or physician-patient interactions. Further research is needed to analyse health care needs in these groups, changes in information needs over the course of the disease, and prospective health outcomes.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Fakultät: Medizin
• Themengebiete: 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
• Sprache: Englisch