Publication:

Comparative study on effect of oral hypoglycemics and insulin treatment on quality of life among diabetic subjects

Background Diabetes is a chronic non-communicable disease with variable presentation and complications. It is well known that over a period of time complications sets in and causes substantial decrease in the patient’s quality of life (QoL). QoL domains plays and important factor in prediction of outcome of diabetic treatment. Hence this study was conducted with the objectives to find the difference in quality of life (QoL) domains in diabetics on oral hypoglycaemic agents and Insulin.

Methods Longitudinal Study was undertaken in tertiary care centre, for duration of 6 months. Type 2 Diabetics on treatment with oral hypoglycemics and Insulin were included in the study. Socio - demographic profile, laboratory investigations were collected using structured and pretested questionnaire. Quality of life was assessed by WHOQOL-BREF. SPSS 22 version, EPI Info and Open EPI software were used for Statistical analysis. Chi-square and Students t-test were the statistical tests.

Results 59 diabetic subjects were included in Oral and insulin group respectively. Mean age of oral hypoglycemics was 59.6±8.7 years and Insulin group was 61.4±8.2 years. Age and gender were matched between two groups. Glycemic profile was significantly higher in Oral group than in Insulin group. Physical domain was significantly higher (better) in oral group than in Insulin group. Psychological and Social domain was significantly higher (better) in Insulin group. Hence QoL is affected by type of hypoglycaemic agent used among diabetics.

Conclusions Quality of life with respect to physical domain was reduced in Insulin group, were as psychological and social domain was reduced in Oral group.