Factors Affecting the Quality of Life of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus represents a significant public health challenge globally. As a metabolic disorder, it leads to elevated blood glucose levels due to insulin production or action issues, impacting quality of life across various populations.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the factors influencing the quality of life in diabetic patients.Methods: Conducted as a descriptive cross-sectional survey at Shafqat General Hospital, Salah al-Din Governorate, the study included 200 diabetic adults (110 females, 90 males) who filled out a three-part questionnaire based on the WHO Quality of Life instrument between January 1 and February 5, 2022. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to derive means, standard deviations, and significance levels.Results: Most participants were aged 57+, predominantly female (55%), and nearly all were married (97.5%). Most had primary education (43.5%), with many residing in rural areas (61%). Economic challenges were noted, with 54% reporting just sufficient monthly income. Health-wise, type 2 diabetes was more prevalent (61%), and a substantial portion used oral hypoglycemic agents (59.5%) or insulin (29.5%). Co-morbidities like heart disease and hypertension were common (55%), and lifestyle factors such as non-smoking (83.5%) and no alcohol consumption (100%) were predominant. Daily blood glucose monitoring was low (21.5%), and the majority had a BMI between 25-29.9. Quality of life assessments revealed higher satisfaction in social relationships than physical health domains.Conclusions: Quality of life among diabetic patients is strongly linked to socio-demographic factors like gender, education, income, and chronic disease presence. While awareness about diabetes is moderately high, preventive measures are underutilized, highlighting the need for enhanced public health strategies.