[Health related quality of life in type 1 diabetes mellitus]

Abstract

Introduction: The daily impact of DM1 treatment on the psychological aspects of patients, scientifically proven, and the need for preventive and educational approaches in the care processes of this chronic disease, leads to consider the importance of studying the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) during the childhood and adolescence stages.

Objectives: a) To assess the dimensions of HRQoL most affected by the disease, and b) to determine its variation as a function of the school year, sex and number of years from diagnosis.

Material and method: An applied-descriptive study was used. The sample consisted of 126 patients from 6 to 18 years with type 1 diabetes, controlled in four public hospitals in Extremadura. The questionnaire measuring HRQoL is the Spanish version of EQ-5D-Y.

Results: The most affected dimension for the total sample is anxiety/depression, with a significant difference in the adolescent group (P=.004).

Conclusions: It is necessary to consider the HRQOL assessment should be considered in adolescence, with special attention to the psychological aspects in the proposed treatment and design of educational interventions.