Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the study was to determine predictors that influence health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a large cohort of elderly diabetes patients from primary care over a follow-up period of five years.Methods and ResultsAt the baseline measurement of the ESTHER cohort study (2000–2002), 1375 out of 9953 participants suffered from diabetes (13.8%). 1057 of these diabetes patients responded to the second-follow up (2005–2007). HRQOL at baseline and follow-up was measured using the SF-12; mental component scores (MCS) and physical component scores (PCS) were calculated; multiple linear regression models were used to determine predictors of HRQOL at follow-up. As possible predictors for HRQOL, the following baseline variables were examined: treatment with insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), number of diabetes related complications, number of comorbid diseases, Body-Mass-Index (BMI), depression and HRQOL. Regression analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic variables and smoking status. 1034 patients (97.8%) responded to the SF-12 both at baseline and after five years and were therefore included in the study. Regression analyses indicated that significant predictors of decreased MCS were a lower HRQOL, a higher number of diabetes related complications and a reported history of depression at baseline. Complications, BMI, smoking and HRQOL at baseline significantly predicted PCS at the five year follow-up.ConclusionsOur findings expand evidence from previous cross-sectional data indicating that in elderly diabetes patients, depression, diabetes related complications, smoking and BMI are temporally predictive for HRQOL.
Highlights
In the European Union (EU)-25 States, the proportion of people aged 65 and older is expected to rise substantially, from 16.4% in 2004 to 29.9% in 2050 [1]
Our findings expand evidence from previous cross-sectional data indicating that in elderly diabetes patients, depression, diabetes related complications, smoking and BMI are temporally predictive for health-related quality of life (HRQOL)
Between July 2000 and December 2002, in the federal state of Saarland, 9953 participants aged 50 to 74 years were recruited by their general practitioners (GPs) in the course of a health check-up that focused on early detection of chronic diseases
Summary
In the European Union (EU)-25 States, the proportion of people aged 65 and older is expected to rise substantially, from 16.4% in 2004 to 29.9% in 2050 [1]. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) refers to those aspects of quality of life that relate to a person’s perception of health. HRQOL is influenced by a person’s health status, but by their ability to cope with the burden of disease. The concept of HRQOL includes various domains that refer to the physical, psychological, and social domains of health. Important components of HRQOL, as conceptualized, are: physical functioning, mental health, bodily pain, general health, vitality, and social functioning [4,5,6]. The aim of the study was to determine predictors that influence health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a large cohort of elderly diabetes patients from primary care over a follow-up period of five years
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
