RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Perceived diabetes risk and related determinants in individuals with high actual diabetes risk: results from a nationwide population-based survey
JF BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care
JO BMJ Open Diab Res Care
FD American Diabetes Association
SP e000680
DO 10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-000680
VO 7
IS 1
A1 Christin Heidemann
A1 Rebecca Paprott
A1 Lena M Stühmann
A1 Jens Baumert
A1 Kristin Mühlenbruch
A1 Sylvia Hansen
A1 Catarina Schiborn
A1 Daniela Zahn
A1 Paul Gellert
A1 Christa Scheidt-Nave
YR 2019
UL http://drc.bmj.com/content/7/1/e000680.abstract
AB Objective The purpose of this study was first, to examine perceived diabetes risk compared with actual diabetes risk in the general population and second, to investigate which factors determine whether persons at increased actual risk also perceive themselves at elevated risk.Research design and methods The study comprised adults (aged 18–97 years) without known diabetes from a nationwide survey on diabetes-related knowledge and information needs in Germany in 2017. Actual diabetes risk was calculated by an established risk score estimating the 5-year probability of developing type 2 diabetes and was compared with perceived risk of getting diabetes over the next 5 years (response options: 'almost no risk', 'slight risk', 'moderate risk', 'high risk'; n = 2327). Among adults with an increased actual diabetes risk (n=639), determinants of perceived risk were investigated using multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results Across groups with a 'low' (<2%), 'still low' (2% to<5%), 'elevated' (5% to <10%), and 'high' (≥10%) actual diabetes risk, a proportion of 89.0%, 84.5%, 79.3%, and 78.9%, respectively, perceived their diabetes risk as almost absent or slight. Among those with an increased (elevated/high) actual risk, independent determinants of an increased (moderate/high) perceived risk included younger age (OR 0.92 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.96) per year), family history of diabetes (2.10 (1.06–4.16)), and being informed about an increased diabetes risk by a physician (3.27 (1.51–7.07)), but none of further diabetes risk factors, healthcare behaviors or beliefs about diabetes.Conclusions Across categories of actual diabetes risk, perceived diabetes risk was low, even if actual diabetes risk was high. For effective strategies of primary diabetes prevention, attention should be directed to risk communication at the population level as well as in primary care practice.