Decreased Quality of Life in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Is Associated with Emotional Distress

Abstract

Background: individuals with type 2 diabetes show emotional distress as they learn how to cope with the disease. The emotional distress increases the possibility of complications in these patients. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the impact of the emotional distress in the quality of life of individuals with diabetes, and to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the emotional distress of living with diabetes in a Mexican population. Methods: a total of 422 Mexican individuals with type 2 diabetes were recruited from the outpatient Diabetes Clinic of the Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad Dr. Gustavo A. Rovirosa of Villahermosa, Tabasco. Demographic and clinical characteristics along with quality of life (SF-36) were assessed in these individuals. The emotional distress of living with diabetes was measured using the 5-item Problem Areas in Diabetes. Patients were divided according to the presence of high or low distress. Results: we identified that 31.8% (n = 134) of patients presented high diabetes-related emotional distress. We observed that hepatic diseases as comorbidities (p = 0.008) and diagnosis of major depression (p = 0.04) are factors associated with the emotional distress of living with diabetes. These patients showed a reduced quality of life in all dimensions (p < 0.001); the most affected dimensions were physical role (d = 0.37) and general health (d = 0.89) showing lower scores in comparison with patients with low emotional distress. Conclusions: our results suggest that Mexican individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus show high emotional distress living with the disease and have a decreased quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to decrease factors associated with the high emotional distress of living with diabetes in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Mental Health among Spanish Adults with Diabetes: Findings from a Population-Based Case–Controlled Study

“…To assess the association of study variables with the presence of mental disorders, psychological distress, and consumption of psychiatric medications among DM cases, we constructed three unconditional logistic regressions following Hosmer et al’s recommendation [ 29 ]. We included in the multivariable models all the independent variables with significant bivariate associations ( p < 0.10), with the dependent variable and those considered scientifically relevant in other investigations [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 14 , 20 ]. In order to fit the multivariable model, the importance of each variable was verified.…”

“…Psychological distress is frequently found in people who experience DM and has been associated with adverse health outcomes and unhealthier behaviors [ 10 , 11 ]. Gomez-Pimienta et al [ 12 ] found that around 32% of patients with DM presented high diabetes-related emotional distress and had a decreased quality of life.…”

Psychosocial barriers to well‐being and quality of life among type 2 diabetes patients in Ghana

“…Emotion‐related diabetes distress is also common in patients with diabetes 1,19 and has been linked to depressive symptoms 2,20 which, in turn, can contribute to decreased physical and mental quality of life 21 . High diabetes emotional distress is associated with decreased quality of life, 22 whereas good psychosocial well‐being is a predictor of better quality of life 16 . Depression in patients with diabetes has also been found to negatively impact the various domains of quality of life 23 .…”

Factors Related to Diabetes Mellitus in the Middle-Aged and Over in Taiwan

“…Previous research has also looked at the key factors in stroke and diabetes mellitus of the aged in Taiwan [ 15 , 16 ]. Some research also discussed the effects of chronic disease, physical functions, and lifestyles of the middle-aged, and health changes of aged people [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Chiu et al [ 26 ] discussed the correlation between BMI (Body Mass Index) changes and diabetes mellitus of the aged in Taiwan.…”