Abstract:  Objective To explore the effect of the health education model based on the theory of self-transcendence applied to the blood glucose control and quality of life of patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Design  Interventional research. Participants 138 patients with DR from May 2021 to May 2023 in Beijing Tongren Hospital. Methods The self-transcendence health education model conducts systematic intervention through centralized lectures, Wechat official account push notifications, communication in patient Wechat groups, one-on-one communication, collective teaching, and patient symposiums, covering diversified contents such as disease cognition education and personalized plan formulation. This model unfolds around four core aspects including inner activities and experiences, caring for others and transcending self-boundaries, looking back on the past and looking forward to the future, and individual spirit and strength. Before intervention and after intervention of 3 months, questionnaires of the Chinese version of the Self-Transcendence Scale, the Self-Management Scale for Diabetic Patients, and the Diabetes-Specific Quality of Life Scale, as well as blood biochemical index tests were conducted for all patients. Effective intervention refers to the improvement of the scores of the three questionnaires and blood biochemical indicators. Main Outcome Measures  Blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, triglyceride levels; the scores of questionnaires. Result  After the self-transcendence health education intervention of 3 months, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose levels, glycated hemoglobin, and triglycerides were significantly lower than those before the intervention (all P<0.05). The scores of the patients' Self-Transcendence Scale, Self-Management Scale and Quality of Life Scale were all significantly increased compared with those before the intervention (all P<0.05). There was no statistical change in visual acuity (P>0.05). The effective rate of the intervention was 70.29%. Logistic regression analysis showed that patients under 55 years old (OR=3.570), with higher visual acuity levels (OR=85.093), and no other complications (OR=3.239) had a higher possibility of effective intervention. Patients with an educational attainment below junior high school (OR=0.237), a family income of less than 4,000 Yuan (OR=0.267), and those who are unmarried or divorced have a lower possibility of effective intervention (OR=0.100). Conclusion  The application of the self-transcendence health education model in DR patients is conducive to blood sugar control and the improvement of quality of life. However, the intervention effect of this model is affected by the patient's age, educational level, income level, marital status, vision level and other complications.    

Key words:  Self-transcendence theory, Diabetic retinopathy, Quality of life