The influence of behavioral factors on the degree of glycoregulation and the occurrence of complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease that occurs when the body cannot properly use or does not produce enough insulin. This leads to hyperglycemia, or elevated blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for about 90-95% of all diabetic cases. Aim: To examine the association of behavioral factors with the development of chronic complications and the degree of glycoregulation in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The research was conducted as a descriptive study on a sample of 215 subjects with a diagnosis of T2DM set in accordance with the criteria of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), treated at the Srbac Health Center and the Banja Luka Health Center in the period March-November 2024. The subjects were selected using a random sample method. They filled out a questionnaire with general and sociodemographic data and a questionnaire with medical data and laboratory analyses. Results: Smoking, physical inactivity, inadequate diet and alcohol consumption have a significant impact on the occurrence of certain complications, such as retinopathy, neuropathy, ischemic heart disease and peripheral vasculopathy. Poor blood glucose control and elevated HbA1c values, together with an unfavorable lipid profile and the presence of hypertension, further increase the risk of developing complications. Smoking, physical inactivity and poor diet have a statistically significant association with poorer glycoregulation in patients with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: The significance of this study lies in the fact that it indicates the necessity of a comprehensive approach to the treatment of diabetes, which must not be focused exclusively on blood sugar regulation, but must include lifestyle changes, monitoring of lipid status and blood pressure, as well as systematic patient education.