The association between quality of life and diabetes: the Bushehr Elderly Health Program

Two thousand three hundred seventy-five individuals including 819 (34.5%) with diabetes, aged 69.4 ± 6.4, from Bushehr Elderly Health Program (BEHP) were enrolled. We categorized the participants as non-diabetic, controlled diabetic, and poorly controlled diabetic. The QOL was assessed using the SF-12 questionnaire. The physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summaries of QOL were estimated. We compared the SF-12 domains and components between the categories using ANOVA. Further, the association of diabetes status with PCS and MCS was assessed after adjustment for possible confounders including age, sex, depression, cognitive impairment, physical activity, and other relevant factors using linear regression analysis.

Individuals with diabetes had lower PCS (40.9 ± 8.8 vs. 42.7 ± 8.6, p-value < 0.001), and MCS scores (45.0 ± 10.2 vs. 46.4 ± 9.4, p-value < 0.001) compared to participants without diabetes. No significant differences were observed in PCS or MCS scores between controlled or poorly controlled individuals with diabetes. Diabetes status was associated with PCS and MCS scores in univariable analysis. Regarding physical component of QOL, after adjusting for other confounders, poorly controlled diabetes was significantly associated with PCS [beta: -1.27 (-2.02, -0.52)]; some other determinants include depression [-7.66 (-8.51, -6.80)], male sex [3.90 (3.24,4.57)], and good physical activity [1.87 (1.17,2.57)]. As for the mental component, controlled diabetes was significantly associated with MCS [-1.17 (-2.13, -0.22)]; other contributing factors include depression [-14.35 (-15.34, -13.37)], male sex [1.97 (1.20,2.73)], good physical activity [-1.55 (-2.35, -0.75)], and smoking [-1.42 (-2.24, -0.59)]. BMI had an inverse association with PCS [-0.19 (-0.26, -0.13)] and a direct association with MCS [0.14 (0.07,0.21)].