Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity (Feb 2024)
Health-Related Quality of Life Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) in Central Ethiopia: A Multicenter Study
Abstract
Habtamu Esubalew,1 Ayele Belachew,2 Yimer Seid,2 Habtamu Wondmagegn,3 Kidus Temesgen,1 Tsegazeab Ayele3 1School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; 2School of Public Health, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 3Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Habtamu Esubalew, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, P.O. Box 21, Arba Minch, Ethiopia, Tel +251 931547322, Email [email protected]: Diabetes, one of the major global health emergencies of the 21st century, can affect a patient’s quality of life. A compromised quality of life has adverse effects on self-care practices, resulting in inadequate glycemic control and an increased susceptibility to complications. In Ethiopia, there is a paucity of information regarding the quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, this study aimed to assess health-related quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending diabetes follow-up clinics in selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa using short form- 36 (SF-36) health survey measures. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of the study participants. Simple and multiple linear regressions were done to identify significantly associated factors with health-related quality of life.Result: A total of 309 patients participated in this study. The mean scores of the physical and mental component summaries were 40.15 (SD = 7.27) and 48.11 (SD = 8.87), respectively. Being old, being overweight or obese, living with type 2 diabetes mellitus for more than fifteen years, taking combined medication, having diabetes-related complications, and having comorbidities were factors that reduced the mean score of the physical component summary (p-value< 0.05). Being obese and diabetes related complication were factors that negatively affect mental component summary (p-value < 0.05). On the other hand, being married was factors that positively affect mental component summary (p-value < 0.05).Conclusion: Older age, being married, obesity, overweight, longer duration of diabetes, using combined medications, diabetic-related complications, and co-morbidities were factors associated with health-related quality of life. Healthcare providers should strengthen counseling patients on lifestyle modifications such as diet modifications, and weight reduction.Keywords: health-related quality of life, type 2 diabetes mellitus, short-form-36 health survey
