Living with cystic fibrosis-related diabetes or type 1 diabetes mellitus: a comparative study exploring health-related quality of life and patients' reported experiences of hypoglycaemia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) on frequency and severity of symptoms suggestive of hypoglycaemia and diabetes-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL).


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional comparison study. Participants with T1DM or CFRD completed a questionnaire that assessed symptoms suggestive of hypoglycaemia and diabetes-specific HRQoL, and recorded episodes of low blood sugars in a prospective diary. Comparisons of responses were conducted, and Pearson product correlations were determined between HRQoL scores and other continuous variables. HRQoL scores were compared between the groups after adjusting for confounding factors.


RESULTS
Diabetes in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients had a less negative impact on HRQoL than in T1DM patients. Both groups experienced hypoglycaemia, but loss of consciousness or needing help was more common in T1DM patients. Symptoms suggestive of hypoglycaemia were less of a problem for CFRD patients in terms of severity, with T1DM patients having more neuroglycopenic symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the same percentage of patients in both groups reported experiencing hypoglycaemia, severity (e.g. symptoms and loss of consciousness) was higher for those with T1DM. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia appear to have a significant impact on HRQoL, and could account for the worse HRQoL in T1DM patients.
Tierney
Stephanie
S
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, University Place, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. stephanie.tierney@manchester.ac.uk
Webb
Kevin
K
Jones
Andrew
A
Dodd
Mary
M
McKenna
Diane
D
Rowe
Rachel
R
Whitehouse
Joanna
J
Deaton
Christi
C
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult