What I felt as a diabetes fatigue survivor: a phenomenology study

Purpose Diabetes has resulted in an increase in diabetic fatigue syndrome, which has a negative infuence on health, par�ticularly the risk of worsening quality of life (QoL) due to physical and mental limitations. The purpose of this study was
to evaluate the experiences of patients with unregulated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetes fatigue syndrome.
Methods This study used a qualitative phenomenological design and focused on patients from four primary health centers
(PHCs) in Surabaya, Indonesia with higher incidents of unregulated T2DM. Thirty participants were recruited using pur�posive sampling with the following inclusion criteria: adult T2DM patients, willing to participate in the study, and able to
recount experiences associated with their illness. Data collection took place between April and June 2020 across 36 inter�view sessions. Semi-structured interviews were carried out face-to-face with each participant with the principles of social
distancing applied due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results Analysis identifed fve themes and thirteen subthemes. The frst theme was participants’ experiences during blood
glucose imbalance. Other themes included experiences of boredom with diet, physical and psychological distress, fnancial
problems during treatment, and sexual problems.
Conclusion Participants with T2DM who experienced diabetes fatigue reported negative efects on their life, especially on
health, functional daily activity, and fnances. The results of this study can provide information for nurses and other healthcare
providers to promote interventions for patients with T2DM, such as modifying lifestyle, self-acceptance, and self-efcacy.
Keywords Blood glucose · Diabetes mellitus · Fatigue syndrome · Glycemic control · Phenomenology