A Cross-Sectional Study Of Diabetes Patients' Quality Of Life At Tamil Nadu's Tertiary Care Hospitals

COMMUNITY MEDICINE

Background: Diabetes is a chronic condition that significantly affects individuals' quality of life. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the quality of life of diabetes patients at Tamil Nadu's tertiary care hospitals. Methods: A total of 260 diabetes patients aged 20 years and above, receiving treatment for at least 3 months, were included in the study. Data on personal details, treatment history, clinical history, and quality of life were collected using a pre-designed, pretested semi-structured interview schedule. The MOS SF-36 v2 (Tamil version) questionnaire was used to measure the patients' quality of life, comprising eight domains. Results: The majority of study subjects had a normal nutritional status (84.23%) and a waist/hip ratio indicating no risk (68.4%). The duration of diabetes was greater than 10 years for 77.31% of the participants. There was a statistically significant association between the duration of diabetes and the clinical profile of the study subjects. In terms of quality of life, women had lower scores than men in domains such as general health, vitality, and mental health. The presence of comorbidities was associated with lower SF-36 scores. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of considering mental health aspects and gender-specific challenges in managing diabetes and improving the quality of life for patients. Healthcare professionals should address these factors and provide comprehensive care. Further research should explore the impact of diabetes-related complications, such as foot ulcers, on mental health and overall quality of life in diabetic patients.

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