ABSTRACT
Background: Today, the quality of life [QoL] studies have an important role in public health care, especially among the old adults suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes. Diabetes and its complications can widely affect various aspects of QoL. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess diabetic patients' QoL and identify the factors that affect it
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 593 randomly selected diabetic patients aged 60 years and above who were admitted in 13 diabetes clinics in Shiraz, Iran, in 2014. Diabetes Quality of Life-Brief Clinical Inventory [DQOL-BCI] questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life in these patients. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed, using Stata software, version 12, to identify the predictors of DQoL
Results: The participants' mean DQoL score was 41.8+/-6.2 with a mean age of 66.2+/-6.0 years. Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that FBS level [115-180 mg/dL: P=0.05; above 180 mg/dL: P=0.02] and duration of diabetes [4-9 years: P=0.06; above 9 years: P=0.002] were two important clinical predictors of DQoL
Conclusion: This study demonstrated a relationship between clinical and socio-demographic factors and diabetic patients' QoL. Considering these related variables could lead to effective control of diabetes complications and improvement of the patients' QoL
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The survival rate of thalassemia patients has not been conclusively established, and the factors associated with survival remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the survival rate of thalassemia among patients in southern Iran and to identify the factors associated with mortality from thalassemia. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted based on a retrospective review of the medical records of 911 beta-thalassemia patients in 2014. Data analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 212 patients (23.3%) died, and 26.8% had thalassemia intermedia. The 20-year, 40-year, and 60-year survival rates were 85%, 63%, and 54%, respectively. Both crude and adjusted analyses found that education, marital status, ferritin levels, and comorbidities were related to mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Sociodemographic and hematological factors were found to be significantly associated with the survival rate of thalassemia. Addressing these factors may help healthcare providers and physicians to provide the best possible care and to improve the survival rate.