Health-related quality of life related to diabetes multisensory deficits and derealization

Two hundred and one adults aged 28 to 80 years (100 without/101 with type 2 diabetes) participated in a cross sectional study to assess the correlation among sensory deficits, depersonalization/derealization, and anxiety/depression symptoms and their contribution to health-related quality of life, considering individual characteristics (age, sex, obesity, COVID-19 history). Assessments included: general health, body mass index, sensory deficits (vision/neuropathy/hearing/vestibular), symptoms related to balance, dissociative experiences, depersonalization/derealization and anxiety/depression symptoms, and health-related quality of life. Analyses were performed by bivariate and covariance tests (p ≤ 0.05). Participants with diabetes exhibited multisensory deficits and increased mental symptoms, with reduced health-related quality of life. Anxiety/depression symptoms were mainly related to balance symptoms, significant dissociative experiences and obesity (adjusted R² = 0.20, p < 0.000001); depersonalization/derealization symptoms were mainly related to sensory deficits, balance and anxiety/depression symptoms (adjusted R² = 0.48, p < 0.000001). The majority of these variables, along with age contributed to the variance on health-related quality of life (adjusted R² = 0.43, p < 0.000001). The results support that the sensory deficits related to diabetes may reduce the perceived health-related quality of life by both physical and mental aftereffects, including unreality perceptions; the multisensory integration required for balance may have a particular role on mental health and functioning; assessment of depersonalization/derealization symptoms requires considering sensory deficits.