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Longitudinal study on glycaemic control and quality of life in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus referred for intensified control
Author(s) -
Goddijn P. P. M.,
Bilo H. J. G.,
Feskens E. J. M.,
Groenier K. H.,
Van Der Zee K. I.,
De Jong B. Meyboom
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1046/j.1464-5491.1999.00002.x
Subject(s) - medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , diabetes mellitus , physical therapy , type 2 diabetes , confounding , insulin , physical examination , metabolic control analysis , outpatient clinic , vitality , disease , endocrinology , philosophy , nursing , theology
Summary Aim The aim of our study was to describe investigate and association between improved glycaemic control on quality of life (QoL) during 1 year of treatment in a sample of 94 Type 2 diabetic patients referred for insulin therapy to an outpatient department (OPD). Treatment was aimed at achieving acceptable glycaemic control by means of maximizing oral therapy, if necessary switching over to insulin therapy, and information and education provided by a diabetes specialist nurse and dietitian. Methods QoL was measured using a disease‐specific (Diabetes Health Profile (DHP)) and a generic questionnaire (RAND‐36). After 1 year the medical examination and QoL measurements were repeated. The association between 1‐year changes in QoL and achievement of good metabolic control (final glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA 1c ) ≤ 8%), switch to insulin therapy, and presence of hyperglycaemic complaints at baseline was analysed after adjustment for appropriate confounders. Results After 1 year, mean HbA 1c was reduced from 10.4% to 7.8%. Also QoL improved in the total group. Patients who achieved good glycaemic control after 1 year (61%) improved in a similar manner as the others. Patients switched over to insulin (65%) improved in a similar manner as the others, but at the final examination they experienced more problems with social functioning and pain. Patients with hyperglycaemic complaints at baseline (49%) improved more in QoL than those without, especially in physical functioning, vitality and health change, but at the final examination still scored lower on a majority of the DHP and RAND‐36 dimensions. Conclusion Symptoms of hyperglycaemia predict the strength of an association between improvements of glycaemic control and QoL. Diabet. Med. 16, 23–30 (1999)