Abstract
Methods
The Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) was administered in participants (n = 520) at the 1995–1996 and 2005–2007 examination phases of the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy (WESDR).
Physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores were calculated. The associations between changes of quality of life
and demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors were analyzed.
Physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores were calculated. The associations between changes of quality of life
and demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors were analyzed.
Results
PCS score decreased (p < 0.001) and MCS score increased (p < 0.001) after 10 years. The development of cardiovascular disease and the presence of limb amputation were associated with
decrease in the PCS score. Those who were working and retired had increased MCS; those who were working and stopped had a
decrease in the MCS score. Change in visual acuity and diabetic retinopathy status did not have a significant impact in health-related
quality of life scores.
decrease in the PCS score. Those who were working and retired had increased MCS; those who were working and stopped had a
decrease in the MCS score. Change in visual acuity and diabetic retinopathy status did not have a significant impact in health-related
quality of life scores.
Conclusions
Our findings reinforce the necessity to make every attempt to decrease complications of diabetes in individuals with long-term
type 1 diabetes in order to attenuate the diminished quality of life associated with those complications such as cardiovascular
disease. Change in employment status, likely due to development of these complications, was also strongly associated with
poorer quality of life and suggests the benefits of preventing or decreasing complications to keep people with type 1 diabetes
in the workforce.
type 1 diabetes in order to attenuate the diminished quality of life associated with those complications such as cardiovascular
disease. Change in employment status, likely due to development of these complications, was also strongly associated with
poorer quality of life and suggests the benefits of preventing or decreasing complications to keep people with type 1 diabetes
in the workforce.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s11136-012-0245-0
- Authors
- Flavio E. Hirai, Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- James M. Tielsch, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Barbara E. K. Klein, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Ronald Klein, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Journal Quality of Life Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2649
- Print ISSN 0962-9343