Is there relation between health locus of control and clinical outcomes in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients in Croatian general practice?

Sa？etak Background: The aim of this study was to explore correlation between health locus of control (HLOC) and clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2). Subject and methods: Cross-sectional study. A multistage, stratified proportional sampling was used to draw a random sample of 46 GPs and, systematic sampling of the first 6 DMT2 patients visiting the chosen GPs with recently registered blood pressure, lipid and glycaemic profile. The patients completed Croatian version of HLOC (ZKL-90-2) and socio-demographic data questionnaires after signing informed consent. Results: DMT2 patients mostly displayed internal HLOC, followed by circumstances, powerful others and chance. Almost all observed objective clinical outcomes, except fasting blood glucose and LDL cholesterol, are in correlation with internal HLOC scale. Correlations were mostly negative. The patients considering themselves to be in command over diabetes obtained the lower scores at total cholesterol (p=0.014), triglycerides (p=0.037), systolic (p=0.003) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.025). Positive correlation with Es and Eo scales measuring external HLOC was found regarding levels of LDL cholesterol (p=0.032), triglycerides (p=0.009) and systolic (p=0.001) blood pressure. HbA1c (p=0.001). Fasting blood glucose (p=0.002) was higher in patients believing in external circumstances. Conclusion: DMT2 patients who believed they had control over their disease obtained better disease outcomes than those believing in external circumstances