Trent Brookshier
Western University of Health Sciences, USA
Diabetes mellitus type-2 affects millions of Americans and is one of the leading causes of death. A few simple steps could make an enormous difference in the management of diabetes. Early detection, effective patient education and patient compliance are some of the ways in which the progression of the disease can be combated. The hypothesis was that using the term prediabetes is not the most effective label when counseling patients on hyperglycemia or insulin insufficiency. A survey testing the perception of prediabetes versus newly coined stage-1 diabetes was conducted to see if patients viewed them differently and how it would influence their decisions. It is found that patients viewed stage-1 diabetes 17% more severely on a ten-point scale and were 20% more likely to see the need for medication when this new name was used. None of those surveyed that currently were diagnosed with prediabetes were on medication but 66% said they would be willing to take medication if they were diagnosed with stage-1 diabetes. Based on the results of the study it is proposed using a new naming system for diabetes mellitus to help improve patient compliance and outcomes.
Trent Brookshier is currently pursuing his Medical degree at College of Podiatric Medicine-Western University of Health Sciences (WUCPM). He has pursued his Bachelor in Science degree at UC Irvine.
E-mail: trentbrookshier@gmail.com
