KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS TOWARD DIABETIC NEUROPATHY IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA, 2023

Background: Diabetes neuropathy (DN) is the first long term complication of diabetes and requires good control to be prevented. Family physicians represent a core necessity to guide and help patients control their blood sugar levels and prevent DN.

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of family physicians towards diabetes neuropathy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methodology: This is an analytical cross-sectional study that utilized an online pre-structured questionnaire. All family residents, specialists, fellows and consultants working in Riyadh city during the year 2023 were eligible for inclusion in our study. The structured questionnaire was adopted form the literature and tested for reliability and face validity.

Results: A total of (319) responses from family physicians. The median and IQR of age were 28 (27-29), and males represented 58.9%. Senior residents represented the majority with 55.5%, while consultants accounted for only 3.1%. The median and IQR for knowledge were (7, 6-8). Attitude scores had a median and IQR of (15, 12-15), and practice scores had a median and IQR of (14, 12-15). Age showed significant positive correlation with knowledge scores (r=0.224, P-value<0.001), while advanced age was correlated with lower attitude (r= -0.162, P-value=0.004), and lower practice scores (r=0.137, P-value=0.014).

Conclusion:Knowledge levels regarding DN among family physicians were satisfactory, and the majority of participatingphysicians would screen, counsel, and educate their patients regarding diabetic neuropathy.Patients education should be considered to improve glycemic control and adherence to preventive measures of diabetic neuropathy.