Quality of Life in Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: The need of adhering to treatment and restrictions on food choices adversely affect the satisfaction and happiness a diabetic can gain out of everyday life. Quality of life is an important component of diabetes management. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 200 patients of type 2 diabetes admitted in a tertiary care hospital were interviewed to assess their quality of life with the Quality of Life Instrument for Indian Diabetes Patients questionnaire. Selected socio-demographic variables were also checked for correlation with quality of life. Results: The quality of life score was found to be 107. The mean likert scores were 3.29 for role limitation due to physical health, 3.32 for physical endurance, 2.35 for general health, 3.25 for treatment satisfaction, 2.92 for symptom botherness, 3.27 for financial worries, 3.30 for emotional / mental health and 2.95 for diet satisfaction.Quality of life was found to depreciate with increasing age, years lived with diabetes and lower income class. Conclusion: Quality of life assessment and improvement is essential for appropriate diabetes management.