Cross-sectional relationship between glycaemic control, hyperglycaemic symptoms and quality of life in type 2 diabetes (ZODIAC-2).
BACKGROUND
To describe the relationship between glycaemic control, hyperglycaemic symptoms and quality of life (HRQOL) in type 2 diabetic patients.


METHODS
In a shared-care diabetes project HRQOL was assessed. A total of 1664 patients with type 2 diabetes were identified in 32 primary healthcare practices. Of these patients, 1149 were included. HRQOL was measured using a generic questionnaire (Rand-36), completed by 1006 of the 1149 participants.


RESULTS
The number of hyperglycaemic symptoms was higher in women (1.88) compared with men (1.64), without differences in mean haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (7.5%)-Univariate analyses showed negative relationships between all dimensions of the Rand-36 and hyperglycaemic symptoms (p<0.001), but between only one dimension and HbA1c (p=0.005). Multivariate analyses showed no association between any of the dimensions of the Rand-36 and HbA1c, but the relationship between hyperglycaemic symptoms persisted in all dimensions (p<0.001). Notwithstanding these results, the presence of hyperglycaemic symptoms was related to higher HbA1c.


CONCLUSIONS
In type 2 diabetic patients, as assessed by a generic questionnaire, there is an evident relationship between hyperglycaemic symptoms and HRQOL and not between HbA1c and HRQOL. Subjective hyperglycaemic symptoms are, independent of HbA1c, important for HRQOL in type 2 diabetic patients, and should therefore not be neglected in the management of diabetes.
Kleefstra
N
N
Department of Internal Medicine, Isala Clinics, Weezenlanden location, Zwolle, The Netherlands. kleefstra@langerhans.com
Ubink-Veltmaat
L J
LJ
Houweling
S T
ST
Groenier
K H
KH
Meyboom-de Jong
B
B
Bilo
H J G
HJ
D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin