Quality of life in patients with diabetes mellitus compared with non-diabetic subjects in Korea: The 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 農村醫學 地域保健

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study was to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with diabetes in Korea and to compare them with the HRQoL of individuals without diabetes history. METHODS: The study subjects were 17,655 adults aged over 19 who participated in the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012). The EuroQoL-5Dimension was used to evaluate HRQoL. Chi-square test, t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis were performed to test the difference of HRQoL in diabetic subjects and controls. RESULTS: The mobility dimension was the highest reported problem: 36.4% for diabetic subjects. The proportion of any reported problem was significantly high among diabetic subjects compared with two controls in terms of mobility [reference group diabetic subjects, chronic controls adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=0.77, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=0.66-0.91, healthy controls aOR=0.61, 95% CI=0.50-0.75], self-care [reference group diabetic subjects, chronic controls aOR=0.68, 95% CI=0.55-0.83, healthy controls OR=0.69, 95% CI=0.51-0.94]. and usual activities [reference group diabetic subjects, chronic controls aOR=0.85, 95% CI=0.72-0.99, healthy controls OR=0.79, 95% CI=0.62-0.98]. Also, EQ-5D index were significantly low in subjects with diabetes compared to two controls. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with diabetes had a significantly lower HRQoL compared with two controls. To improve the quality of life of diabetics, it is necessary to study various variables related to the quality of life, and develop and manage various health programs or welfare policies reflecting socio-demographic characteristics and health related features that affect the quality of life.