Study on the impact of diabetes on neuro-psycho-behavioral functions, Kénitra, Morocco

Abstract

Diabetes, a complex chronic disease, is associated with numerous complications, particularly cardiovascular and renal complications. Recent research has also revealed a link between diabetes and neurological as well as behavioral changes. This study aimed to analyse the impact of diabetes on the neurological, behavioral, and psychological functions of patients with diabetes. To achieve this goal, a cross-sectional survey involving 75 people was conducted to assess these complications associated with diabetes. The results revealed that the most participants report that the majority of the problems they encounter are related to psychomotor slowing (64%), sleep disorders (64%), and asthenia (62.7%). Others reported suffering from appetite disorders (53.3%), cognitive disorders (49.3%), sexual disorders (44%), associated anxiety (42.7%), digestive disorders (40%), and cardiovascular disorders (37.3%). Meanwhile, urinary disorders and neuromuscular disorders represent only a small proportion, at 30.7% and 29.3% respectively. Moreover, these same results revealed that there was a relationship between self-esteem and the level of depression and that only the variable "sex" was significantly associated with self-esteem (khi2=6.72; p<0.05). Indeed, among male patients (n=37), more than half had low to very low self-esteem, whereas 78.94% of female diabetic patients had low to very low self-esteem. Moreover, the level of education and income were significantly correlated with the level of depression, with chi-square values of 8.08 (p<0.05) and 11.49 (p<0.022), respectively. Nurses are encouraged to consider psychological aspects by providing counselling interventions to patients to increase their self-esteem. These results highlight the urgency of developing integrated management strategies and incorporating neuropsychological perspectives in diabetes management aimed at increasing self-esteem and the quality of life of patients with diabetes.