Participants
type-2 diabetes, diabetes
DIABETES
To recruit the participants, we used a simple non-probability sampling method by preparing a list of patients with diabetes who had been admitted to the Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism affiliated with the Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Then, we invited the eligible individuals to participate in the study by phone calls. The inclusion criteria were: a diagnosis of type-2 diabetes for at least 1 year, being 30–65 years old, and absence of disabling comorbidities that prevented them from participating in the study. Also, the subjects needed the ability to read and write and showing a HbA1C level higher than 8% based on the laboratory test performed over the previous month. Any occurrence of acute medical conditions or the unwillingness of the participants to continue their participation in the study was the criteria for their exclusion from the research. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before entering the study.