Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/108397
Title: Health-related quality of life is associated with diabetic complications, but not with short-term diabetic control in primary care
Authors: Quah, J.H.M.
Luo, N. 
Ng, W.Y. 
How, C.H.
Tay, E.G.
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus
Haemoglobin A Glycosylated
Health surveys
Primary health care
Quality of life
Singapore
Issue Date: Jun-2011
Citation: Quah, J.H.M.,Luo, N.,Ng, W.Y.,How, C.H.,Tay, E.G. (2011-06). Health-related quality of life is associated with diabetic complications, but not with short-term diabetic control in primary care. Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore 40 (6) : 276-286. ScholarBank@NUS Repository.
Abstract: Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is of increasing healthcare concern worldwide, with incidence rising, complications leading to signifi cant morbidity and mortality, posing strain on public healthcare funding. Health-related quality of life of diabetic patients is increasingly being recognised as "the ultimate goal of all health interventions". The aim of our study was to identify the quality of life predictors of diabetic patients in primary care. This study was conducted in 8 public primary care polyclinics from SingHealth Polyclinics. Materials and Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey on 699 diabetic patients, administered by medical students on a systematic sample of patients during their routine visit. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics as predictors of quality of life, measured by the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and the EQ-5D self-report questionnaire. Results: Higher quality of life in diabetic patients is associated with younger age, male gender, employed status, higher educational level and exercise. Lower quality of life is associated with comorbidities and diabetic complications. Short-term glycaemic control as measured by HbA1c did not correlate with quality of life. Most interestingly, confi dence in doctor and satisfaction in clinic were related to better quality of life. Conclusion: Health-related quality of life is adversely associated with symptomatic complications of diabetes mellitus, but not with short-term diabetic control. This suggests that the diabetic patient may not appreciate the impact of good diabetic control immediately on his or her health-related quality of life. More effort should be invested into patient education of the importance of glycaemic control to prevent these long-term complications.
Source Title: Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore
URI: http://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/108397
ISSN: 03044602
Appears in Collections:Staff Publications

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