Symptom prevalence and treatments among Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of diabetes-related symptoms among Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes, their perceptions of symptom seriousness, treatments used to self-manage the symptoms, and ratings of treatment effectiveness. METHODS As part of a larger descriptive correlational study conducted with 87 Mexican American adults in a southwest metropolitan area, data were collected during one-on-one interviews during outpatient visits using the Diabetes Symptom Self-care Inventory and analyzed with descriptive methods, t tests, and chi(2)s. RESULTS Participants experienced 4.9 diabetes-related symptoms in a 30-day period and used a variety of treatments to self-manage the symptoms. Many of the self-management strategies were not appropriate for the most common causes of the symptoms. Few people tested their blood glucose levels in response to symptoms even though most owned glucometers. CONCLUSIONS Most people who experience diabetes symptoms used self-care to treat the symptoms, did not verify the cause of the symptom, and perceived their treatments as effective. The appropriateness of the treatments used cannot be evaluated without knowing the etiology of the symptom for a particular person and time. Clinicians must assess symptoms and their treatments to best develop effective individualized treatments.