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The aim of this study was to help improving management of patients with type 2 diabetes by evaluating their knowledge of the disease and its treatment and by identifying factors which might influence management. A questionnaire was sent to diabetic patients taking oral antidiabetic drugs affiliated to one of the three main national health insurance schemes in the French Departments Seine-Maritime and Eure. Four hundred responses were analyzed. Patient knowledge of diabetes and its complications, follow-up, surveillance and dietary control were rather poor. Use of a personal diary (used by 24%) was associated with better knowledge of the disease and better participation in follow-up and treatment. Actions aimed at better education of diabetic patients promoting use of a personal diary would be helpful to improve disease management, necessary to reduce the risk of complications.