Quality of Life, Treatment Satisfaction, and Perceived Stress Among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Attending Clinics in Conflict-Affected Syria: A Cross-Sectional Study

<b>Background</b>: The protracted Syrian conflict has severely disrupted healthcare services, compromising the continuity and quality of care for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study evaluated diabetes-related quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and perceived stress among adults with T2DM receiving care in selected clinics within conflict-affected Syrian regions and examined predictors of these outcomes. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in July 2024 among 200 adults with T2DM recruited from outpatient clinics, primary healthcare centers, and diagnostic laboratories in Homs and Damascus. Participants completed validated Arabic versions of the Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL), Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQs), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), alongside the collection of sociodemographic and clinical data. Descriptive statistics, univariate analyses, and multivariable linear regression models were applied. As this study used a facility-based purposive sample, its findings may not be generalizable to all individuals with diabetes in Syria. <b>Results</b>: Participants had a mean age of 57.6 ± 11.8 years, and 59.5% were male. Hypertension (70.5%) and obesity (35.5%) were the most common comorbidities, while retinopathy (21.5%), nephropathy (23.5%), and neuropathy (19.5%) were the most frequent complications. The mean ADDQoL Average Weighted Impact score was -3.1 ± 1.3, indicating substantial quality-of-life impairment. The mean DTSQs total score was 30.4 ± 5.6, suggesting moderate satisfaction with treatment despite frequent perceived hyperglycemia. The mean PSS-10 score was 18.8 ± 3.4, with 92.5% of respondents experiencing moderate stress. In multivariable models, poorer quality of life was predicted by older age, rural residence, higher BMI, and depression. Lower treatment satisfaction was associated with rural residence and retinopathy, while higher perceived stress was linked to lower education, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnea. <b>Conclusions</b>: Adults with T2DM attending selected healthcare facilities in conflict-affected Syria experience marked reductions in quality of life, moderate treatment satisfaction, and elevated psychosocial stress. These findings highlight the need for strengthened medication supply chains, improved rural service coverage, and integration of psychosocial support within diabetes care in fragile health systems.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2026-02-05
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15031285
Primary Topic
Diabetes Management and Education
Type
article
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article

Quality of Life, Treatment Satisfaction, and Perceived Stress Among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Attending Clinics in Conflict-Affected Syria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Bashar Shehab, Attila Csaba Nagy, Attila Sárváry
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Diabetes Management and Education
article

Quality of Life, Treatment Satisfaction, and Perceived Stress Among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Attending Clinics in Conflict-Affected Syria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Bashar Shehab, Attila Csaba Nagy, Attila Sárváry
article en

Abstract

<b>Background</b>: The protracted Syrian conflict has severely disrupted healthcare services, compromising the continuity and quality of care for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study evaluated diabetes-related quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and perceived stress among adults with T2DM receiving care in selected clinics within conflict-affected Syrian regions and examined predictors of these outcomes. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in July 2024 among 200 adults with T2DM recruited from outpatient clinics, primary healthcare centers, and diagnostic laboratories in Homs and Damascus. Participants completed validated Arabic versions of the Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL), Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQs), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), alongside the collection of sociodemographic and clinical data. Descriptive statistics, univariate analyses, and multivariable linear regression models were applied. As this study used a facility-based purposive sample, its findings may not be generalizable to all individuals with diabetes in Syria. <b>Results</b>: Participants had a mean age of 57.6 ± 11.8 years, and 59.5% were male. Hypertension (70.5%) and obesity (35.5%) were the most common comorbidities, while retinopathy (21.5%), nephropathy (23.5%), and neuropathy (19.5%) were the most frequent complications. The mean ADDQoL Average Weighted Impact score was -3.1 ± 1.3, indicating substantial quality-of-life impairment. The mean DTSQs total score was 30.4 ± 5.6, suggesting moderate satisfaction with treatment despite frequent perceived hyperglycemia. The mean PSS-10 score was 18.8 ± 3.4, with 92.5% of respondents experiencing moderate stress. In multivariable models, poorer quality of life was predicted by older age, rural residence, higher BMI, and depression. Lower treatment satisfaction was associated with rural residence and retinopathy, while higher perceived stress was linked to lower education, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnea. <b>Conclusions</b>: Adults with T2DM attending selected healthcare facilities in conflict-affected Syria experience marked reductions in quality of life, moderate treatment satisfaction, and elevated psychosocial stress. These findings highlight the need for strengthened medication supply chains, improved rural service coverage, and integration of psychosocial support within diabetes care in fragile health systems.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 15(3)
University of Debrecen (HU)
No poverty
Openalex Percentile: Top 67%
Diabetes Management and Education
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