Factors Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life among Nepalese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic disease with a considerable impact on the health status and quality of life. Studies have shown that health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) among diabetics is much lower than those reported among non-diabetics. The aim of this study was to find out factors influencing the HR-QoL among diabetic people.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was done in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu. A total of 108 adult diabetic clients were selected using non-probability purposive sampling and information on quality of life (QoL) collected by using World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire through interview method. Descriptive and inferential statistics [independent sample t test, one way ANOVA and Post hoc analysis (LSD)] were done to describe the respondent’s QoL scores.

Results: According to scoring manual of QoL scores, higher the score better the QoL. The study revealed client of young age group had scored significantly higher score (65.9±8.9, 62.9±12.6, 69.9±11.7) in three domains i.e. physical, psychological, and social domain respectively. Educated clients with higher secondary and above level scored significantly higher score (61.7±16.5, 57.0±16.7, and 61.8±11.8) in three domains i.e. physical, psychological, and environmental domain respectively. Unmarried clients scored significantly higher score (65.7±10.8) in social domain only. Clients with duration for 6 months to one year of diagnosis of diabetes and higher economic class scored significantly higher score (61.4±10.1, 57.0±13.2, 64.5±16.2, 60.4±11.2 & 59.5±16.2, 57.9±16.2, 68.2±18.4, 56.8±13.5 &) in entire four domains respectively. Equally, clients with none of diabetes related complications scored higher (58.7±12.3, 55.5±15.0, 63.3±16.9 & 56.1±10.3) in all four domains.

Conclusion: Study concludes that factors related to lower quality of life among diabetic clients included: older age, less educated, lower economic class, longer duration of diagnosis, type of complications, and counseling on diabetes. Thus, diabetes management should not only focus mainly on clinical outcomes but also on patients’ perceived outcomes, which reflect a person’s quality of life and a better compliance with the diabetes management.