The human cost of Type-2 diabetes mellitus: Uncovering the hidden burden on quality of life

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on quality of life (QOL) and compare it with healthy subjects.

METHOD: This case-control study was conducted at Aziz Fatimah Hospital and Aziz Fatimah Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad, Pakistan, from May 2023 to January 2024. A total of 170 subjects were included in the study through purposive sampling technique. Fasting and random blood glucose levels were measured using an enzymatic colorimetric test. HbA1c was determined with the Bioherms A1C EZ 2.0 Glyco-hemoglobin Test Kit. QOL was assessed using the Short Form-36 version 1 questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant.

RESULTS: The study included 86 T2DM patients and 84 controls, with a mean age of 49.23 ± 12.59 years. Among the participants, 44.7% were male and 55.3% were female. T2DM patients scored lower in physical functioning, limitations due to physical health, bodily pain and vitality subscale compared to controls (p = 0.003, 0.050, 0.030, 0.000 respectively). Both groups had physical component summary and mental component summary (MCS) scores below 50, indicating impaired QOL. MCS scores were significantly lower in T2DM patients than in controls (p = 0.002). Females scored lower in vitality (p = 0.0005) and bodily pain (p = 0.031). T2DM patients with less than five years of duration had lower SF-36 scores than those with longer duration.

CONCLUSION: T2DM impairs quality of life, especially in females and those with less than five years of disease duration, who face a greater negative impact.