Relationship between functional capacity and health-related quality of life of patients with type-2 diabetes

Abstract

Aims: Physical function is a determinant of survival in chronic diseases, however, little is known about functional capacity (FC) and self-reported health status of patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D). This study investigated the relationship between FC and health related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with T2D.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional survey recruited 150 patients with T2D from a Nigerian university teaching hospital using purposive sampling technique. Socio-demographic and physical characteristics were assessed. FC and HRQoL including physical and mental health component summary (PCS and MCS) were assessed using the six minute walk test (6MWT) and Short-Form (SF-12) questionnaire respectively. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO₂ max) was estimated, pre and post 6MWT cardiovascular parameters and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were assessed. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p<0.05.

Results: There were 83(55.3%) women, means of age and FBG of participants were 64.2±8.7years and 7.4±2.4mmol/L respectively. The means of 6-min walk distance (6-MWD) and estimated VO₂ max were 341.55±41.82m and 9.2±0.7mL/kg/min respectively. Significant differences were found between pre and post HR (t=-44.71; p=0.001), SBP (t=-38.38; p=0.001) and DBP (t=-38.58; p=0.001) following 6MWT. The means of PCS and MCS of HRQoL were 48.67±5.51 and 58.39±2.86 respectively. There were significant correlations between FC and each of PCS (r=0.678; p=0.001) and MCS (r=0.211; p=0.009).

Conclusion: Patients with T2D demonstrated low functional capacity and reduced HRQoL. Significant relationship exists between FC and physical and mental component summary of HRQoL. Exercise intervention to improve FC and HRQoL were recommended.

Keywords: Functional capacity; Health related quality of life; Type-2 diabetes.