Quality of Life (QoL) among patients with diabetes mellitus: A hospital based study

Background: India has second-highest diabetes mellitus cases worldwide. Diabetes affects a person's physical, social, and psychological well-being, so managing diabetes requires a holistic strategy to enhance the overall Quality of Life (QoL). Aim and Objectives: This study aimed to identify factors influencing the QoL among individuals with diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals visiting medical college hospital in costal Karnataka. A sample size of 403 was derived using appropriate sample size formula. The QoL of diabetic patients was assessed using a validated, revised version of DQoL questionnaire. The satisfaction domain score ranged from 6-30, impact score 4-20, worry score 3-15 and total QoL score 13-65. The data were analyzed using the Jamovi software version 2.3.28. Results: Mean scores for QoL in the satisfaction domain. was the highest among all domains, with a score of 35.7 ± 6.80, followed by the impact domain 30.9 ± 8.12 and the worry domain 29.9 ± 9.84. Socio- demographic factors such as age, type of diabetes, gender, marital status and duration since diagnosis of diabetes were found to be influencing diabetes QoL ( < 0.05). Conclusion: Diabetes adversely affects the QoL of patients with diabetes mellitus. This study highlights the need of health programs which would help older patients, women and people with type-1 diabetes to improve their QoL.