Quality of life and clinical parameters among Turkish patients with diabetes mellitus

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.

Keywords:

• Diabetes
• Quality of life
• Clinical parameters

Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to all patients who participated in this study and the clinical managers and nurses who provided support.