Introduction: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases that impact quality of life and its management must go beyond glycemic control to include quality of life. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between quality of life and glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients attending Abu Khalifa family medicine center in Ismailia.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted to assess quality of life in 151 adult patients with type 2 diabetes attending Abu-Khalifa family medicine center. SES (socioeconomic status) scale and SF-36 questionnaire were interviewed to all patients who were also tested for HbA1c. Data analysis was applied to identify the relationship between quality of life and glycemic control ,presented by HbA1c, and other significant predictors of quality of life with significant limit of P<0.05.
Results: Total sample include 151 patients of whom mean age was 50.01 ± 8.6, 80.1% females, 19.9% males. The mean HbA1c level was 8 ± 1.5, mean duration of diabetes was 7.92 ± 5.6, and mean quality of life 48.7 ± 24.2%. HbA1c was significantly associated with quality of life. Males had significantly higher scores than females. Older age, prolonged duration of diabetes and complications were significantly associated with less quality of life scores. Conclusion: Poor glycemic control, older age and women appear to be the most incremental correlate for poor quality of life so special consideration to future research on gender specific attributes to improve quality of care to this vulnerable group.