Background: Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases represent significant global health challenges, leading to organ dysfunction and increased mortality rates. Managing these conditions is complex, especially in the elderly population. The study addresses this pressing issue by exploring the application of the Chronic Illness Trajectory Framework (CITF), aiming to improve self-care and quality of life in elderly patients with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Methods: A total of 127 patients with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases admitted to the hospital were enrolled between January 2020 and January 2022. According to the implementation of CITF management mode, they were divided into a control group (62 cases, non-implementation) and an observation group (65 cases, implementation). The control group was given routine intervention, while the observation group was given CITF-based target management mode for 3 months. The changes in blood glucose, blood lipid, negative emotions, self-efficacy, self-management, compliance, and quality of life before and after intervention in both groups were observed. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhujiang Hospital.
Results: After intervention, levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2h plasma glucose (2hPG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), scores of self-rating depression scale (SDS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and Diabetes Specific Quality of Life Scale (DSQL) were decreased (P < .05), while scores of General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and Scale of the Diabetes Self-Care Activities Chinese version (SDSCA), and compliance rate were increased in both groups (P < .05). The levels of FPG, 2hPG, HbA1c, TC, TG, and LDL-C, scores of SDS, SAS, and DSQL in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < .001), and scores of GSES and SDSCA, and compliance rate were higher than those in the control group (P < .001). These results highlight the positive role of comprehensive intervention in improving the physical and mental health of patients with diabetes and provide strong support for the application of comprehensive intervention strategies in diabetes management.
Conclusion: CITF-based target management mode can alleviate negative emotions in patients with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases, improve self-management, self-efficacy, and compliance, effectively control blood glucose and lipids, and improve quality of life. The study conclusions highlight the importance of CITF management models in improving the management of patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This comprehensive intervention helps reduce negative emotions, improve self-management and compliance, effectively control blood sugar and blood lipids, and improve quality of life. These results have important clinical implications and provide strong support for better care of patients with chronic diseases.