Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Degenerative Changes of the Spine

Introduction. Diabetes mellitus (DM), as a group of metabolic syndromes, is characterised by hyperglycaemia caused by a defect in insulin secretion and/or action. Osteoarthrosis is a disease that results in a slow degenerative process of joint surfaces. Predisposing factors for the disease include age, obesity, posture defects, metabolic diseases, injuries, and so-called mechanical factors such as occupational work. One of the causes of degenerative changes is type 2 diabetes mellitus. Aim. The aim of this paper was to determine the level of quality of life and the impact of degenerative spine changes on the quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods. The study was conducted on a group of 115 individuals of both genders staying in a rehabilitation ward. The study used standardised tools to assess pain, cervical and lumbar spine disability, a questionnaire to assess basic activities of daily living and a scale to assess quality of life. Sociodemographic data were obtained from patients’ medical records. Results. A total of 106 fully completed questionnaires (99.07%) were included in the analysis, comprising 52 (48.60%) women and 54 (50.47%) men. All respondents (N=107) experienced pain symptoms. According to the ADL scale, most respondents were fully functional. According to the ODI scale, the largest group indicated moderate disability. According to the NDI scale, the groups of patients with no disability, mild disability, and moderate disability were comparable, with severe disability affecting 7.48% of patients, and extreme suffering and disability affecting 2.80% of the study group. The mean quality of life score was 3.5±0.76 points, meaning that the respondents rated their quality of life between good and average (neither good nor bad). The mean self-health assessment score was 2.54±0.78 points, indicating that the respondents rated their health between unsatisfactory and average (neither satisfactory nor unsatisfactory). Respondents rated their quality of life highest in the social relationship domain (14.42±2.55), slightly lower in the psychological domain (14.38±2.33), followed by the environment domain (13.77±2.11), and lowest in the physical domain (11.24±2.51). Conclusions. The quality of life assessment of patients with T2DM and degenerative spine changes is at a fairly good level. Factors influencing the quality of life of these patients include age, marital status, occupational activity, and intensity of pain. All patients in the study suffer from moderate spinal pain. Most patients are able to function independently in daily life. (JNNN 2025;14(1):16–26)