Association between Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Korean Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Background@#It is well known that physical activity has various health benefits. Therefore, this study was conducted to demonstrate the association between physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Korean patients with diabetes mellitus. @*Methods@#Our study is based on VI phases (2014–2015) of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Subjects were divided into two groups according to high and low levels of physical activity. HRQoL was measured by using the Euro quality of life-5 dimension (EQ-5D). Impaired HRQoL was defined as the score within the lowest 20% of the EQ-5D index and some or extreme problems in the EQ-5D domains. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the effects of physical activity on impaired HRQoL. @*Results@#The adjusted OR for impaired HRQoL for individuals that were more physically active compared to those who were less physically active was higher for the EQ-5D index (OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.82–4.44). Furthermore, compared to less physically active individuals, the adjusted ORs were higher for more physically active individuals in mobility (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.28–3.02), self-care (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.20–4.03), usual activities (OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.81–4.45), and pain/discomfort (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.19–2.57) among the various EQ-5D domains. @*Conclusion@#A lack of physical activity is associated with lower HRQoL among Korean patients with diabetes, particularly when compared with Koreans engaged in frequent physical activity.

Association between Age at Natural Menopause with Diabetes and Prediabetes

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that fasting insulin and blood glucose levels are higher in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women and that insulin resistance was more serious in postmenopausal women. The effects of menopause on glucose metabolism have been well studied, but it is unclear whether age at menopause onset is associated with fasting blood sugar and HbA1c levels. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of menopause age on diabetes and prediabetes.METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2015). The participants were 2,156 naturally menopausal women, except diabetes, stroke, coronary artery disease and cancer patients. The study population was divided into four groups according to the age of natural menopause onset ( < 40, 40–44, 45–55, and ≥56 years). Diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes was based on the American Diabetes Association guideline. The association between menopause age and diabetes or prediabetes was analyzed by multiple logistic regression.RESULTS: Women reaching menopause at 40–44 years were 4.901 times more likely to have diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 4.901; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.353–17.756, P=0.016) than those who reached menopause at an age of ≥56 years. Women with menopause at age < 40 years were 2.839 times more likely to have diabetes or prediabetes (OR, 2.839; 95% CI, 1.012–7.968, P=0.047).CONCLUSION: Women with premature menopause (< 40 years) have high risk of developing diabetes or prediabetes, and women with a menopause age of 40–44 years have high risk of developing diabetes.

The Well-Being and Treatment Satisfaction of Diabetic Patients in an Outpatient Setting at a General Hospital in Korea / 임상당뇨병

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the psychological well-being and treatment satisfaction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a general hospital in Korea. METHODS: This study included 440 type 2 diabetes patients above 20 years of age. Well-Being Questionnaire-12 (WBQ-12) and Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to survey well-being and treatment satisfaction, respectively. WBQ-12 consists of 4 categories: negative well-being (NWB), energy (ENE), positive well-being (PWB), and general well-being (GWB). RESULTS: There were significant associations between NWB scores and women, low education, low-income, and number of hospital admissions. Significant associations were also identified between ENE scores and men, higher education, insulin nonusers, high-income, compliance with recommended exercise, number of medications, satisfaction with treatment time, and poor glycemic control. PWB scores were significantly associated with high-income, satisfaction with waiting and treatment times, compliance with recommended diet and exercise, and number of medications. GWB scores were significantly associated with men, higher education, high-income, satisfaction with waiting and treatment times, compliance with recommended exercise, and number of medications. Treatment satisfaction was significantly associated with age, satisfaction with waiting and treatment times, compliance with recommended diet and exercise, and duration of diabetes. CONCLUSION: Diabetes care requires psychosocial support in addition to medical care. Unlike Western studies, our study found that satisfaction with waiting and treatment times had a strong correlation with well-being and treatment satisfaction in diabetes patients.