Patient Empowerment in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Objective and Aim Patient empowerment has emerged as a cornerstone of chronic disease management, particularly in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), where long-term self-management is essential. Despite growing interest, uncertainties remain regarding the determinants of empowerment and its relationship with metabolic outcomes. To evaluate patient empowerment levels in individuals with T2DM and to identify sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral factors associated with empowerment. Materials and Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study included 125 adults with T2DM attending the Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic of Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Diabetes Empowerment Scale (DES). Clinical and laboratory parameters were obtained from medical records. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v20.0. Results The mean age of participants was 55.1 ± 9.7 years, and 75.2% were female. The mean total DES score was 82.4 ± 11.4, indicating a moderate-to-high level of empowerment. Lower education level, older age, and suboptimal adherence to lifestyle recommendations were associated with lower empowerment scores. No significant correlation was found between DES scores and glycemic or lipid parameters, including HbA1c. Conclusion Patient empowerment among individuals with T2DM was moderate to high but varied according to educational and sociodemographic characteristics. Integrating empowerment-based strategies into family medicine and primary care, with attention to cultural context, may enhance self-management capacities and overall diabetes care. Keywords: Patient Empowerment, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Self-Management, Primary Care, Family Medicine