People with type 2 diabetes who report good self-management behavior have a reduced mortality risk, a population-based study conducted by scientists at Helmholtz Center Munich (HMGU) showed Wednesday.

The result emphasizes the great importance of patient behavior in the diabetes treatment process, said the HMGU.

Patient behavior, such as regular monitoring of blood glucose levels, having a diet plan or performing physical exercise is collected from 340 participants with type 2 diabetes in the study.

Based on this data a self-management index was defined and the team led by Professor Rolf Holle correlated the index with the mortality of the participants, who were monitored over a period of 12 years.

The analysis showed that patients with good diabetes self-management, that is patients with a high self-management index, had a significantly lower mortality risk than patients with a low self-management index.

This association exists independent of other factors that can influence mortality, such as age, sex, comorbidities or medication, said the study.

"The results show that in addition to physician-delivered treatment, the patient's behavior is also of great significance for the course of the disease and for the success of the treatment process," said Holle.

"Patient-centered services, such as diabetes education, self-management training and information services therefore make a valuable contribution to good patient care and should continue to be expanded," said Holle.

According to the study, there are nearly ten percent of the population in Germany affected by diabetes.