Relationship between social support and fatigue in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the east of turkey

AimThis study was planned to assess the levels of fatigue and social support in patients with diabetes and to determine the relationship between fatigue and social support in these patients. MethodsA descriptive design was used in this research. The study was conducted between March and June 2013 with 300 sampled patients from 1657 studied participants with type 2 diabetes who presented to the diabetes polyclinics of Malatya State Hospital and Inonu University, Turgut Ozal Medical Center. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Fatigue Severity Scale were used in the study. ResultsWhen the correlation analysis carried out between fatigue severity and social support in patients with diabetes was examined, a significant relationship was found in the negative direction between fatigue severity and family support (r=-0.145, P<0.05) as well as overall support (r=-0.132, P<0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the Fatigue Severity Scale score and sex, education status, occupation, cohabitation, presence of complications, and hemoglobin A1c (P<0.05). Family support was significant only with respect to marital status, occupation, and being employed (P<0.05). ConclusionIt was seen at the end of this research that social support reduced the level of fatigue in a number of patients with type 2 diabetes. Nurses of diabetes patients should carry out fatigue assessments routinely and reflect these in nursing care plans by also associating them with the social support sources of the patient.