Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) may have profound effects on physical and emotional health and quality of life (QoL). Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the QoL of patients with DM and to determine the clinical parameters and socio-demographic factors that affect the QoL of these patients.
Methods: This is a descriptive study of 212 patients with DM attending the Ege University hospital, Izmir. Ferrans and powers QoL index diabetes version and a socio-demographic questionnaire was administered to assess QoL.
Results: The majority of patients (57.5%) age groups were 45–51 and age mean was 44.34 ± 3.21. Most of the patients (63.7%) were female, 79.2% were married, 67.0% had complications. The mean HbA1c level was 7.89 ± 0.95%, fasting blood-glucose level was 117.25 ± 5.15 mg/dl, post-prandial blood-glucose level was 155.51 ± 5.39 mg/dl, Body mass index level was 36.40 ± 3.12 kg/m2. There was a positive relationship between the scores of QoL, subgroups and all demographic and clinical variables (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Lower income, lower education, low-rated employment and physical complications adversely affect the QoL of patients DM. Such factors need to be addressed by caregivers and nurses managing these patients.
Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to all patients who participated in this study and the clinical managers and nurses who provided support.