Introduction Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder and an increasingly prevalent condition worldwide. 1 As a determinant of epidemiologic transition, diabetes is recognized as a major health concern in both developed and developing countries. 2 World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that it is becoming the epidemic of the 21st century, and that 70% of known cases of diabetes are detected in developing countries. 3 The prevalence of diabetes is accompanied by rapid cultural changes, aging population, increase in civilization, changes in nutritional behavioural patterns, unhealthy and inappropriate lifestyle. 4 The prevalence of disease varies from region to region. For example, it is reported that in Iran, the prevalence in adults is between 2 to 10%. 5 Similarly, the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) has reported a prevalence of 2.3% 6 in Tehran. Diabetes poses a big burden on individuals, families and societies. 7 A new approach of thinking is required to recognize that patients are in control of and responsible for the daily self-management of diabetes. 8 Such a new approach should 16 J Pak Med Assoc Determination of empowerment score in type 2 diabetes patients and its related factors Azar Tol, 1 Davood Shojaeezadeh, 2 Golamreza Sharifirad, 3 Fatemeh Alhani, 4 Mohamadreza Mohajeri Tehrani 5 Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, 1,3 Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, TUMS; School of Public Health, Poursina Ave, Tehran 2 School of Medicine, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, 4 Endocrine and Metabolism Research Centre, TUMS; Dr. Shariati Hospital, North Karegar Ave, Tehran, 5 Iran. Abstract Objectives: To assess empowerment score in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: A descriptive - correlation study was performed for a period of four months in 2011. Study population was type 2 diabetic patients referred to Omolbanin, Diabetic Center in Isfahan, cultural capital of Iran. Hundred and sixty diabetic patients met the inclusion criteria and were all included in the study. Patient's empowerment was measured by DES (Diabetes Empowerment Scale) self-report scale with subscales reflecting three areas including Managing the psychosocial aspect of diabetes (9 items), Assessing dissatisfaction and readiness to change (9 items) and Setting and achieving diabetes goal (10 items). Collected data was analyzed by using SPSS software version 11.5. Results: Participants were between the ages of 38 and 78 with a mean of 48.67±7.99 years. There were 49.4% males, 87.5% were married, and 44.9% had education of diploma and higher. Mean duration of diabetes was 5.62±3.81 years. In all 46.9% participants had borderline metabolic control according to World Health Organization criteria. Using Diabetes Empowerment Scale, three conceptual domains of 'Managing the psychosocial aspect of diabetes', 'Assessing dissatisfaction and readiness to change' and 'Setting and achieving diabetes goal' were measured and scored for each patient. The average score of each domain was 27.15 ± 8.20), (29.03 ± 10.40), (31.95 ± 11.70) respectively. 'Setting and achieving diabetes goal' was considered as the most important domain in measuring diabetes self-management. Diabetes empowerment level showed a significant relationship between variables such as educational level (p<0.001), gender (0.007), age (p<0.001), and duration of diabetes (p<0.001). Pearson correlation coefficient also revealed that empowerment of type 2 diabetic patients has a reverse relationship with HbAlc (r = - 0.75, p 0.001). Furthermore, ordinal regression test revealed that having diploma and higher education (p=0.005), and optimal and borderline HbAlc (p<0.001) were effective factors in empowering diabetic patients. Conclusion: Empowerment is psychosocial self-efficacy. Healthcare professionals and researches have introduced 'self-empowerment' as a key element in managing chronic diseases. When it comes to diabetes, empowerment implies an approach that attempts to enhance the ability of patients to actively understand and influence their own lives and health status. It seems that patients with diabetes can be empowered to manage their chronic disease if they are actively informed and educated. Keywords: Empowerment, Diabetes type 2, Self-management, Self-care, HbAlc (JPMA 62: 16; 2012). Original Article