Health Status of Diabetes Type 2 Patients in Thailand Contradicts Their Perception and Admitted Compliance

A nationwide data set about the health status of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM) patients and a questionnaire of a sub-sample of the DM patients about their know-how, behavior and perception about health care had been re-assessed. Laboratory results revealed that in average 70% of the patients had been over nourished, over 50% had abnormal cholesterol-, over 55% had high triglyceride levels and 51% had high density lipid (HDL) values below 45 mg/dl. Sixty percent of patients had glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels over 7%. About 60% of study participants answered a questionnaire. In contrast to the laboratory findings about 90% claimed to take the medicine as the doctor advised, 60% said that they adjusted their food intake as advised and more than 80% said that they know well how to take care of themselves. They were only superficially informed about the complications of DM. Almost 95% were satisfied with the health service they receive and over 70% were satisfied with their health status. The results are discussed in connection with the need to control DM on the basis of primary health care (PHC). It is argued that the assessment of health programs solely through questionnaires might be misleading, if the findings are not confirmed by clinical and biochemical parameters.