Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Glycemia and the Quality of Well-Being in Patients with Diabetes

  • Published:
Quality of Life Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the cross-sectional relationships among self-reported frequencies of symptomatic hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, HbA1c, and symptoms in the Quality of Well-Being Self-Administered (QWB-SA), and to examine the associations among these measures of glycemia and health utility scores. Research design and methods: The study group included 1522 patients with diabetes who attended University of Michigan Health System clinics. Published studies were reviewed to identify symptoms in the QWB-SA that might be associated with measures of glycemia. Linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the strength of the associations among the frequency of self-reported measures of glycemia, QWB-SA symptoms, and QWB-SA-derived health utility scores. Results: Frequency of hyperglycemic symptoms was associated with 3% of the variance in the QWB-SA-derived health utility score in type 1 diabetes and with 5% of the variance in type 2 diabetes. Frequency of hypoglycemic symptoms was not associated with the QWB-SA-derived health utility score in type 1 diabetes but was associated with 1% of the variance in type 2 diabetes. HbA1c levels were not significantly associated with QWB-SA-derived health utility scores. After controlling for age, gender, and complications, frequency of hyperglycemic symptoms was significantly associated with QWB-SA-derived health utility scores in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Conclusions: Reported frequency of hyperglycemic symptoms is associated with symptoms included in the QWB-SA and with QWB-SA-derived health utility scores. The QWB-SA may be an appropriate measure to assess the health burden of hyperglycemia.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Rubin RR, Peyrot M. Quality of life in diabetes. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 1999; 15: 205-218.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ahroni JH, Boyko EJ, Davignon DR, Pecoraro RE. The health and functional status of veterans with diabetes. Diabetes Care 1994; 17: 318-321.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Klein BE, Klein R, Moss SE. Self-rated health and diabetes of long duration. The Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetes Care 1998; 21: 236-240.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Wikblad K, Leksell J, Wibell L. Health-related quality of life in relation to metabolic control and late complications in patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Qual Life Res 1996; 5: 123-130.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Koopmanschap M. Coping with type II diabetes: The patient's perspective. Diabetologia 2002; 45: S18-22.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Coffey TA, Brandle M, Zhou H, et al. Valuing health-related quality of life in diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care 2002; 25: 2238-2243.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Kaplan RM, Ganiats TG, Sieber WJ, Anderson JP. The quality of well-being scale: Critical similarities and differences with SF-36. Int J Qual Health Care 1998; 10: 509-520.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kaplan RM, Sieber WJ, Ganiats TG. The Quality of Well-Being Scale. Comparison of the interviewer-administered version with a self-administered questionnaire. Psychol Health 1997; 12: 783-791.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Haddix A, Teutsch S, Shaffer P, et al. (eds), A Practical Guide to Prevention Effectiveness: Decision and Economic Analyses. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 1993: 123-133.

  10. Lenert L, Kaplan RM. Validity and interpretation of preference-based measures of health-related quality of life. Med Care 2000; 38(9 Suppl): 138-150.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Gold MR, Patrick DL, Torrance GW, et al. Identifying and valuing outcomes. In: Gold MR, Siegel JE, Russell LB, Weinstein MC (eds), Cost-effectiveness in Health and Medicine. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996: 82-134.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Erickson P, Kendall EA, Anderson JP, Kaplan RM. Using composite health status measures to assess the nation's health. Med Care 1989; 27(3 Suppl): S66-S76.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kaplan RM. Hippocratic Predicament: Affordability, Access, and Accountability in Health Care. San Diego: Academic Press, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Balaban DJ, Sagi PC, Goldfarb NI, Nettler S. Weights for scoring the quality of well-being instrument among rheumatoid arthritics: A comparison to the general population weights. Med Care 1986; 24: 973-980.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Orenstein DM, Nixon PA, Ross EA, Kaplan RM. The quality of well-being in cystic fibrosis. Chest 1989; 95: 344-347.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Orenstein DM, Pattishal EN, Nixon PA, et al. Quality of well-being before and after antibiotic treatment of pulmonary exacerbation in patients with cystic fibrosis. Chest 1990; 98: 1081-1084.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kaplan RM, Hartwell SL, Wilson DK, Wallace JP. Effects of diet and exercise interventions on control and quality of life in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Gen Intern Med 1987; 2: 220-228.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Kaplan RM, Anderson JP, Patterson TL, et al. Validity of the quality of well-being scale for persons with human immunodeffciency virus infection. Psychosomatic Med 1995; 57: 138-157.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Bombardier C, Ware J, Russell IJ, et al. and the Auranofin Cooperating Group: Auranofin therapy and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Results of a Multicenter Trial. Am J Med 1986; 81: 565-578.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Anderson RM, Fitzgerald JT, Wisdom K, et al. A comparison of global versus disease-specific quality-of-life measures in patients with NIDDM. Diabetes Care 1997; 20: 299-305.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Fitzgerald JT, Davis WK, Connell CM, et al. Development and validation of the Diabetes Care Profile. Eval Health Profess 1996; 19: 208-230.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Grootenhuis PA, Snoek FJ, Heine RJ, Bouter LM. Development of a type-2 diabetes symptom checklist: A measure of symptom severity. Diabetic Med 1994; 11: 253-261.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Testa MA, Simonson DC. Health economic benefits and quality of life during improved glycemic control in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial. JAMA 1998; 280: 1490-1496.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Katz MH. Multivariable Analysis: A Practical Guide for Clinicians. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kleinbaum DG, Kupper LL, Muller KE. Applied Regression Analysis and other Multivariable Methods. 2nd ed. Boston, Massachusetts: PWS-Kent, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Guyatt GH, Veldhuyzen Van Zanten SJ, et al. Measuring quality of life in clinical trials: A taxonomy and review. CMAJ 1989; 140: 1441-1448.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Boyer JG, Earp JA. The development of an instrument for assessing the quality of life of people with diabetes: Diabetes-39. Med Care 1997; 35: 440-453.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Weinberger M, Kirkman MS, Samsa GP, et al. The relationship between glycemic control and health-related quality of life in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Med Care 1994; 32: 1173-1181.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Hanestad BR, Graue M. To maintain quality of life and satisfactory metabolic control in type II diabetes patients. Qual Life Res 1995; 4: 436-437.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Bagne CA, Luscombe FA, Damiano A. Relationships between glycemic control, diabetes-related symptoms and SF-36 scales scores in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Qual Life Res 1995; 4: 392-393.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Glasgow RE, Ruggiero L, Eakin EG, et al. Quality of life and associated characteristics in a large national sample of adults with diabetes. Diabetes Care 1997; 20: 562-567.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Petterson T, Lee P, Hollis S, et al. Well-being and treatment satisfaction in older people with diabetes. Diabetes Care 1998; 21: 930-935.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Peyrot M, Rubin RR. Levels and risks of depression and anxiety symptomatology among diabetic adults. Diabetes Care 1997; 20: 585-590.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Jacobson AM, de Groot M, Samson JA. The evaluation of two measures of quality of life in patients with type I and type II diabetes. Diabetes Care 1994; 17: 267-274.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Trief PM, Grant W, Elbert K, Weinstock RS. Family environment, glycemic control, with the psychosocial adaptation of adults and diabetes. Diabetes Care 1998; 21: 241-245.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California at San Diego, USA

    B.P. Tabaei, J. Shill-Novak, M. Brandle, R. Burke & W.H. Herman

  2. Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    R.M. Kaplan

  3. Department of Community Medicine, University of California at San Diego, USA

    R.M. Kaplan

Authors
  1. B.P. Tabaei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Shill-Novak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Brandle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. Burke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. R.M. Kaplan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. W.H. Herman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tabaei, B., Shill-Novak, J., Brandle, M. et al. Glycemia and the Quality of Well-Being in Patients with Diabetes. Qual Life Res 13, 1153–1161 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:QURE.0000031336.81580.52

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:QURE.0000031336.81580.52

Search

Navigation