The association between health related quality of life and some indicators of severity and control in diabetic type 2 patients at a centre in Johannesburg
Date
2008-05-14T13:06:40Z
Authors
Daya, Gerish
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus type 2 is common and the prevalence is increasing exponentially. The long-term complications of diabetes
can only be prevented by life long commitment to a challenging
treatment regimen.
Health related quality of life might be an important determinant of
whether patients will adhere to the prescribed treatment regimens.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an
association between the health related quality of life and certain
indicators of the severity and control of diabetes type 2 in a sample
of patients at a diabetes centre in Johannesburg.
Data relating to the control and severity of diabetes type 2 was
gathered from 97 patients attending at the Centre for Diabetes and
Endocrinology, Johannesburg. Data related to their quality of life
was gathered from a questionnaire. The data was captured and
analysed using the Epi Info programme.
Insulin usage was found to be strongly associated with a lower
health related quality of life. Surprisingly the other parameters
studied viz. HbA1C, BMI, exercise, vascular complications and the
use of oral hypoglycaemic, anti-hypertensive and lipid lowering
agents were not found to be strongly associated with health related
quality of life.
Clinicians prescribe insulin in order to maintain normal blood
glucose levels. This is critical to prevent the long-term
complications of diabetes. The findings of this study have
important implications for the use of this essential medication.