Ten-year change in self-rated quality of life in a type 1 diabetes population: Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Purpose To investigate a 10-year change of quality of life and associated factors in a population with type 1 diabetes. Methods The Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) was administered in participants (n = 520) at the 1995–1996 and 2005–2007 examination phases of the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy (WESDR). Physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores were calculated. The associations between changes of quality of life and demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors were analyzed. Results PCS score decreased (p < 0.001) and MCS score increased (p < 0.001) after 10 years. The development of cardiovascular disease and the presence of limb amputation were associated with decrease in the PCS score. Those who were working and retired had increased MCS; those who were working and stopped had a decrease in the MCS score. Change in visual acuity and diabetic retinopathy status did not have a significant impact in health-related quality of life scores. Conclusions Our findings reinforce the necessity to make every attempt to decrease complications of diabetes in individuals with long-term type 1 diabetes in order to attenuate the diminished quality of life associated with those complications such as cardiovascular disease. Change in employment status, likely due to development of these complications, was also strongly associated with poorer quality of life and suggests the benefits of preventing or decreasing complications to keep people with type 1 diabetes in the workforce.

Health-related quality of life in a group of Egyptian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: relationship to microvascular complications

“…Several studies have demonstrated that diabetes has a strong negative impact on HRQOL, relative to the general population (Abuawad 2013;Jain et al 2014;Nielsen et al 2016), especially in the presence of complications (Hirai et al 2013;Smith-Palmer et al 2016). Diabetic neuropathy greatly reduces the quality of life in people with DM through increased disability and assuming more hospitalizations than other diabetic complications (Mahmood et al 2009;Tesfaye and Selvarajah 2012;Abuawad 2013).…”

The Impact of Severity, Comorbidities, and Complications on Quality of Life: A Systematic Review in Patient With Diabetic Retinopathy

“…30 A study used 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), showed that PCS score was decreased (p<0.001) and MCS score was increased (p<0.001) after 10 years. 33 A study used 28-item Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) using multivariable linear model, showed that any DR in unilateral better-eye classifications revealed a 9% reduction in vision related quality of life (VRQoL) compared to individuals with no DR/DME. A significant decrements in VRQoL occurred only when both eyes had either DR or DME (11%).…”

“…21 Four studies demonstrated decreasing of QoL score as severity increased although not statistically significant. 7,25,33,36 Diabetic retinopathy related comorbidity Diabetic patients with comorbidity had worse QoL. 7,16,18,[20][21][22]25,26,33,35,36 Additional lost in QoL was by increased number of comorbidity, including presence of at least one of comorbidity (minimum ≥1 comorbidities).…”

“…7,25,33,36 Diabetic retinopathy related comorbidity Diabetic patients with comorbidity had worse QoL. 7,16,18,[20][21][22]25,26,33,35,36 Additional lost in QoL was by increased number of comorbidity, including presence of at least one of comorbidity (minimum ≥1 comorbidities). 21,22,25,26,35 DR related comorbidity consists of ocular comorbidity and non-ocular comorbidity.…”

“…The ocular comorbidity cited in one study was cataract. 34 The most frequently reported non-ocular comorbidities were hypertension 7,18,21,25,33,35,36 , heart disease 7,21,25,35 , nephropathy 18,[20][21][22]25,26,36 , neuropathy 21,22,26,33 , and cerebrovascular disease. 7,20,25,35 Number of comorbidities was associated with VisQoL score (p<0.001).…”