Conocimientos generales en adultos mayores con diabetes mellitus que acuden a la consulta de endocrinología de un hospital de la ciudad de Guayaquil, 2024-2025.

Abstract

Effective diabetes care begins with adequate patient knowledge about diabetes and typical management regimens. Objective: To identify the general knowledge of older adults with diabetes mellitus attending the endocrinology clinic at a hospital in Guayaquil, 2024-2025. Methodology: A descriptive, quantitative study with a prospective, cross-sectional design. Population: 105 older adults. Technique: Survey. Instrument: Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ24). Results: The sociodemographic characteristics of older adults were female (57%), aged 65 to 70 years (56%), mixed-race (80%), single (38%), with secondary education (44%), and residents of the coast (81%), with a basic income (58%). Regarding older adults' basic knowledge, the average was yes (53%), no (31%), and don't know (16%). Regarding glycemic control, the average was yes (52%), no (28%), and don't know (20%). Regarding the prevention of complications of diabetes mellitus, the average was yes (62%), no (21%), and don't know (18%). Conclusion: The general knowledge of older adult patients was average (56%), given that approximately half of the participants answered the survey items correctly.