Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.11608/sgnj.29.2.1

The influence of number of comorbidities on the quality of life of diabetic patients

Samela Zelić ; Clinic of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina *
Senada Džebo ; Clinic for lung diseases and TB "Podhrastovi", Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ediba Čelić-Spužić ; Anesthesia and Reanimation Clinic, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Introduction: With the continuous aging of the population of Western societies, an increase is expected not only in the number of patients with diabetes but also in the number of patients with comorbidities. Population studies suggest that most patients with diabetes have at least one comorbidity. Comorbidities can profoundly impact a person’s ability to care for himself/herself and can present barriers to adherence to lifestyle changes and compliance with therapy.
Methods: The research was conducted in the Public Institution Health Centre of Sarajevo Canton - Health Center Hadžići and Health Center Novi Grad. It included 161 patients diagnosed with diabetes; 96 women and 65 men. The respondents were between 18 and 65 years old (the upper age limit for the working population for both genders). The instruments for conducting the research were a questionnaire on the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and Ferrans and Powers index of quality of life, a version for diabetes.
Results: The research included 43.48% of respondents with diabetes mellitus (DM) Type II, 31.06% with DM Type I, while even 25.46% of respondents did not know which type of diabetes they suffered from. There were no statistically significant differences in the Total Quality of Life Index (TQLI) (p=0.328) between respondents with different types of diabetes. The average TQLI value in the group with diabetes duration from 1 to 5 years was 22.07 +/- 5.10; in the group from 6 to10 years was 21.23 +/- 6.0; in the group from 11 to 20 years was 21.86 +/- 4.82; in the group from 21 to 30 years was 19.20 +/- 6.81; and in the group with diabetes duration >30 years, was 23.36 +/- 5.46. High blood pressure was present in 60.24% of respondents, followed by elevated blood fats in 51.55% of respondents, and heart/brain blood vessel diseases, in 43.48% of respondents. Neuropathies were present in 38.5%, visual impairment in 26.08%, and malignant diseases were present in a total of 14.28% of respondents.
Conclusion: The average value of the quality of life of respondents with 1 comorbidity was 21.30; with 2 comorbidities 20.91; and with 3 comorbidities was 21.94. There was no statistically significant difference in the quality of life of diabetes patients about the presence of one, two, or more comorbidities (p=0.537). The presence of a greater number of comorbidities in patients with diabetes does not contribute to poor quality of life.

Keywords

comorbidities; diabetes mellitus; Total Quality of Life Index

Hrčak ID:

320094

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/320094

Publication date:

16.8.2024.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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