Accessibility to Primary Health Services and Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Mountainous Greece

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has a negative impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients. We evaluated the health status and quality of life (QoL) in relation to accessibility to primary health care (PHC) units among patients with T2DM in mountainous Greece. We analyzed data obtained from 340 patients with diabetes living in the region of Epirus, Greece. The diabetes-specific quality of life was assessed with the Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life questionnaire (ADDQoL-19) and the generic health status with the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Ninety-three percent of the respondents reported that diabetes had a negative impact on their QoL. Lower scores were seen in relation to “leisure activities” (−1.200 ± 1.251) and “freedom to eat” (−1.088 ± 1.058). The mean physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores were 45.6 ± 8.0 and 43.9 ± 8.0, respectively. According to the linear regression analysis, health status was related to the accessibility to the nearest hospital or health care unit, exercise, blood glucose level, and HbA1c level. The QoL was related to the accessibility to the nearest hospital and diet. T2DM has a negative impact on patients’ QoL. Accessibility to PHC units and hospitals as well as the efficient management of patients with diabetes by said PHC units are imperative to control T2DM’s course and improve patients’ generic health status.

Keywords

• quality of life
• type 2 diabetes mellitus
• health status
• primary health care
• accessibility