Health Related Quality of Life and associated factors in type 2 diabetic patients in PHC centers

Abstract or Introduction

The objectives of this study were to determine Health Related Quality Of Life (HRQOL)and the factors affecting it in type 2 diabetic patients and to determine whether controlled and uncontrolled diabetic patients differ with respect to HRQOL.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in five PHC centers in Al-Khobar area during the period between 5th May – 20th December 2002 G. A random sample of 225 type 2 diabetic patients and 225 non diabetic controls was selected from these five PHC Centers. The controls were matched for age , sex and number from each PHC center.

The mean age of cases was 50.0 ± 10.0 years and controls 49.3±10.3 respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between them (P = 0.526). There was low socioeconomic status and educational level in type 2 diabetic patients. Obesity was significantly higher in diabetics than controls. HRQOL of type 2 diabetic patients was significantly lower than controls. Physical Component Health Summary Scale (PCS) mean score was 41.0±9.0 and Mental Component Health Summary Scale (MCS) was 47.8±9.1 in type 2 diabetics, while PCS mean score was 47.5±9.5 and MCS was 51.5±9.4 in controls, respectively. HRQOL was significantly lower in the females , than, the males. It was also impaired in uncontrolled patients (FBS>130 mg/dl) in comparison with controlled patients (FBS≤130 mg/dl). The factors that significantly affected HRQOL in the PCS in type 2 diabetic patients were being a male, exercise less than 30 min., increased frequency of hospital admissions and increased number of complications. The factors that were associated with low HRQOL in MSC scores were family history of diabetes and uncontrolled FBS.

HRQOL was lower in type 2 diabetic patients than controls and it was affected by many factors. Uncontrolled diabetic patients had a lower HRQOL than controlled diabetics. Based on the findings of this study, it is strongly recommended that the diabetic patients should comply to diabetic diet and to exercise, reduce body weight and monitor FBS and HbA1c regularly. The Arabic version of the SF-12 was shown to have an acceptable level of reliability and could be used as a valid instrument for assessing HRQOL in type 2 diabetic patients. Health education programs are needed for diabetic patients.