Factors that predicted change in health-related quality of life were identified in a cohort of diabetes mellitus type 1 patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate whether sociodemographic and diabetes-specific characteristics can predict the rate of change in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) over time in patients with diabetes mellitus type I (DMT1).


METHODS
A Dutch cohort of 234 patients with DMT1 was followed for 6 years (1995-2001). HRQOL (RAND-36 and EuroQol) and several demographic and clinical patient characteristics were recorded annually during the study period. Baseline characteristics associated with rate of change in HRQOL were identified using an individual linear growth model.


RESULTS
Patients showed a statistically significant decrease over time in most HRQOL scales. Higher baseline diastolic blood pressure was predictive of a faster decrease in RAND-36 PCS score (-0.025, P = .02). Patients with nephropathy showed a faster decrease in PCS (-0.749, P = .003), and those with intermittent claudication a faster decrease in EQ-5D (-0.049, P = .008).


CONCLUSIONS
In this cohort of patients with DMT1, it was possible to identify factors predicting change in HRQOL. Late complications and risk factors for the development and progression of these complications are predictive of a lower HRQOL in the coming years.
Hart
Huberta E
HE
Institute for Health Policy and Management, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Bertien.hart@planet.nl
Redekop
William K
WK
Berg
Marc
M
Bilo
Henk J G
HJ
Meyboom-de Jong
Betty
B
D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000150:complications; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life