Diabetics’ Perception of Quality of Life, Care

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- How do diabetics rate their quality of life and complications from the disease?

A new report from the University of Chicago reveals many patients with diabetes report the inconvenience and discomfort of their care -- especially the multiple daily insulin injections -- has as much impact on their quality of life as the burden of intermediate complications like angina, diabetic nerve damage or kidney damage.

Researchers interviewed 701 adult, type-2 diabetics who went to Chicago area clinics between May 2004 and May 2006. They asked patients their preferences in a series of trade-offs -- for example, “would you rather have six years in perfect health or 10 years with an amputation?”

Results show patients were most distressed by end-stage complications, especially kidney failure, major stroke, or blindness; slightly less concerned about amputations or diabetic retina damage; and even less concerned about angina, diabetic nerve or kidney damage.

The survey also finds between 12 percent and 50 percent of diabetes patients were willing to give up eight to 10 years of living perfectly healthy to avoid life with complications. Between 10 percent and 18 percent said they would give up eight to 10 years of healthy life to avoid life with treatments.

A typical diabetic takes many medications every day, including pills to control blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure. As the disease progresses, the drugs increase and often include insulin shots.

The authors report their hope is the results of this survey can help them find new ways to simplify or modify treatments to help improve diabetics’ quality of life.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Diabetes Care, 2007;30:1-6

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