Health related quality of life in patients with long-standing insulin dependent (type 1) diabetes mellitus: benefits of regular physical training.
OBJECTIVE
Regular exercise is recommended to diabetic patients in addition to dietary restrictions and drug therapy. We have studied whether health related quality of life (HRQOL) can be improved by a regular physical training program.


METHODS
23 otherwise healthy patients with history of type 1 diabetes for 20 +/- 10 years were included. 15 patients (age: 41 +/- 2 years) participated in an aerobic physical training program over 4 months and 8 patients (33 +/- 11 years) served as a control group. HRQOL was assessed by a validated questionnaire (MOS SF-36). Tests were carried out at baseline and after 4 months.


RESULTS
Physical training increased peak oxygen uptake (VO2max) by 27 +/- 13% after 4 months (p = 0.04) in the training group. There was no significant change in hand or leg isometric muscle strength. All HRQOL scales improved in the training group with significantly higher (p < 0.04) Social Functioning and Vitality scores, respectively. Moreover, insulin requirements decreased during physical training program (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate that physical exercise training in patients with type I diabetes mellitus improves metabolic control and various aspects of HRQOL. Besides enhanced cardiorespiratory capacity, this is an important subjective benefit in patients with longstanding insulin dependent (type 1) diabetes mellitus.
Wiesinger
G F
GF
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Vienna, Austria.
Pleiner
J
J
Quittan
M
M
Fuchsjäger-Mayrl
G
G
Crevenna
R
R
Nuhr
M J
MJ
Francesconi
C
C
Seit
H P
HP
Francesconi
M
M
Fialka-Moser
V
V
Wolzt
M
M
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents