Impact of diabetic retinopathy on patients' beliefs about diabetes

Abstract

Background: The aim was to compare beliefs about diabetes and determine their associations with psychological well-being, self-management behaviour and glycaemic control in those with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: We recruited 400 patients with diabetes aged 18years or more from specialised eye clinics, as part of the Diabetes Management Project (DMP). Two-field retinal photographs were taken to assess DR and detailed clinical and psychological well-being examinations were performed following standardised procedures. Glycaemic control was determined using glycated haemoglobin levels. We assessed beliefs about diabetes (diabetes-specific version of the Revised Illness Percep..