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The Triad of Diabetic Uropathy

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Diaz, L. (2021). The Triad of Diabetic Uropathy: An Evidenced-Based Practice Educational Intervention for Healthcare Professionals Caring for the Latino/Hispanic Populations.
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TitleThe Triad of Diabetic Uropathy
AbstractBackground: Limited awareness and knowledge of diabetic uropathy can lead to preventable yet detrimental conditions that negatively impact quality of life. Diabetic uropathy encompasses a triad of diabetic sequela affecting the genitourinary tract: Diabetic Bladder Dysfunction (DBD), Genitourinary Tract Infections (GUTIs), and sexual dysfunction. Many of these complications can remain undetected, advance to irreversible conditions, and become life-threatening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2021) estimates that more than half of Latino adults in the United States will develop Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in their lifetime. Diabetes is the 5th leading cause of death among Latinos in the United States (CDC, 2015) and complications are disproportionately worse in this population (CDC, 2021). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that as much as 90% of people living with diabetes have some form of diabetic uropathy (Agochukwu-Mmonu et al., 2020). Despite the high prevalence, these complications have been largely underestimated and overlooked (Wittig et al., 2019). Recognizing the link between diabetes and occult diabetic uropathies may therefore help clinicians prevent life altering diabetic complications through early screening and detection. Immediate priority and preventative interventions to halt this sharp rise of T2D is crucial for the health of the nation and the world. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate an online EBP educational program regarding diabetic uropathy to determine its effectiveness on increasing knowledge of diabetic uropathy among healthcare professionals caring for the Latino population. Methods: The project was based on an intervention employing a one group pretest-posttest survey with a convenience sample of forty-eight participants. A 1-hour online EBP educational program on the triad of diabetic uropathy was developed and implemented by the primary investigator through Zoom Communications, Inc. Participants were healthcare professionals (n = 48) consisting of nurse practitioners, physicians, physician assistants/associates, and registered nurses. Evaluation of knowledge was examined using a peer-reviewed investigator-created survey administered via Zoom polling feature immediately before and after intervention. Descriptive statistics and a paired t-test were performed on Microsoft Excel to analyze the results. Results: A paired t-test showed that participants had significantly higher post-test mean scores (M = 8.98) when compared to the pre-test mean scores (M = 5.90) (p < 0.001). Higher scores indicate greater knowledge of diabetic uropathies. The difference in mean scores was 3.08, demonstrating a 30% average increase in knowledge among participants. Conclusion: Despite limitations, the online EBP educational program appears to be an effective tool for increasing knowledge of diabetic uropathies. Further research on diabetic uropathies, particularly as they relate to the Latino population, is needed to expand the scant literature currently available that explores the pathogenesis of diabetic uropathies and the impact on the Latino population. Additional educational programs would build on knowledge and awareness that may mitigate diabetes and its complications.
Date2021