Health related quality of life in nigerians with complicated diabetes mellitus – a study from Enugu, South East Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus has serious consequences for patients and the presence of complications increases its morbidity and mortality including reduced quality of life. The health-related quality of life of adults with complicated diabetes in South-East Nigeria is largely unknown. AIM: This study determined the health-related quality of life among adults with complicated diabetes mellitus seen at the foremost public tertiary hospital in South East Nigeria. METHODS: Consecutive subjects with complicated diabetes, attending the dedicated out-patient clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital were recruited over twelve weeks. Informed consent, socio-demographic and clinical data were obtained. Quality of life was determined for each patient using the validated WHOQoL-BREF instrument. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 23). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients (54.2% females) with 42.5% aged 18-45 years were recruited. The overall mean quality of life score was reduced for all patients and especially for the very young (aged 26-35 years).The lowest quality of life score was seen in Domain 1 (physical health). Females had significantly better quality of life scores than males in social relationships domain. Presence of co-morbidities had the worst impact on quality of life across all domains. CONCLUSION: Patients with complicated diabetes mellitus in Enugu, South East Nigeria demonstrated a reduced quality of life across all domains. This was most prevalent in the very young patients. There is a need for optimal management of the condition in Nigeria.