Can quality of life questionnaires be used in diabetics to assess the relation between HbA1c and patients' domain aspects?

Over the past few decades, quality of life [QOL] has become an important concept in medical researches and treatments. Different meaningful reasons are given for this development. In the current research two standard questionnaires for evaluating of QOL were selected. First one, was a questionnaire from The World Health Organization [WHOQOL-BREF 26] and the second one, The Iranian Diabetics' Quality of Life [IRDQOL]. The goal of this study is to assess the relation between different domains of these questionnaires and HbA1c in diabetics. A random sample of Iranian adult outpatient diabetics [n=76] was selected and they completed the WHOQOL and IRDQOL assessment instruments. In addition HbA1c was measured in these patients by calorimetric method. Comparisons were made between scores of "questionnaires' domains" and "HbA1c". Data analysis was carried out by the use of T-test, Spearman correlation coefficient, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and non-parametric statistical methods including Spearman correlation coefficient. Data analysis shows Psychological domain score in IRDQOL is lower than in WHOQOL and it is significant [P<0.0001]. Physical domain score in IRDQOL is lower than WHOQOL and it is significant [P<0.0001]. In WHOQOL questionnaire, analysis data showed when the patient's age increased, physical and psychological domain's score decreased. There is probably no relation between questionnaire domains and HbA1c in diabetics. Based on the findings in this research, there was obviously almost no difference between the two questionnaires for checking the QOL, but in IRDQOL spiritual domain is a very unreliable domain

Stopping insulin and achieving a good metabolic control in a heavy drinker five months after stopping alcohol

In this case study, we describe a 25 year-old male who showed the symptoms of diabetes after a period of heavy drinking. [HbA1c=13%]. Treatment was started with 120 units of insulin. After stopping alcohol consumption and taking an appropriate diet, insulin was tapered down. Five months after the start of treatment, insulin was stopped [HbA1c=5%]. The results showed that he was in a good metabolic control after 18 months [HbA1c=5.9%]

[Safety climate measurement at workplace: development, validity and reliability]

To develop a safety climate questionnaire for use in Iran, and examine its validity and reliability. A 31- item safety climate questionnaire was developed after a scientific literature review and consultation with occupational health and safety experts. 410 workers in several industrial sectors responded to the questionnaire. A 20-item questionnaire measuring safety climate was extracted from the original 31 items. Exploratory factor analyses and inter-item consistency were applied to examine construct validity and reliability. Comparisons of safety climate scores among various groups by age, years of work experience and accident history were used to test discriminant validity. The analysis showed that the safety climate questionnaire loaded on seven different factors: management commitment, safety communication, safety environment, manager's responsibility, risk perception, job satisfaction and safety awareness. These factors explained the 71.5% variance. Coefficients of inter-item consistency met psychometric requirement. Significant differences on some safety climate scales and accidental involvement and job history were detected. Management commitment, safety communication, safety environment are important factors in safety climate measurement in Iranian workers. Safety climate measurement among Iranian workers with this 20-item questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure