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

Habtamu Esubalew; Ayele Belachew; Yimer Seid; Habtamu Wondmagegn; Kidus Temesgen; Tsegazeab Ayele

doi:10.2147/DMSO.S448950

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

Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2024 Feb 29:17:1039-1049. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S448950. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Habtamu Esubalew¹, Ayele Belachew², Yimer Seid², Habtamu Wondmagegn³, Kidus Temesgen¹, Tsegazeab Ayele³

Affiliations

¹ School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
² School of Public Health, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Introduction: 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; short-form-36 health survey; type 2 diabetes mellitus.