Effects of frequency of follow-up on quality of life of type 2 diabetes patients on oral hypoglycemics.
BACKGROUND
Poor quality of life (QoL) in diabetes patients is reportedly associated with adverse outcomes. In the present study, we assessed the effects of frequency of follow-up on clinical indicators as well as QoL of type 2 diabetes patients taking hypoglycemic agents.


METHODS
In total, 155 type 2 diabetes patients were randomly assigned to two groups, which only differed in the frequency of follow-up visits. In both therapy groups, the patients were taking oral hypoglycemic agents. QoL was measured with a QoL Scale for Diabetes Mellitus (DMQLS) at study entry and months 3, 6, 9, and 12. Based on the drugs used, the patients were divided in three medication groups: glimepiride group, metformin group, and glimepiride+metformin group.


RESULTS
Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that compared with the conventional therapy group, the intensive therapy group showed significant improvement in the Disease, Psychology, and Satisfaction domain scores of the DMQLS, the overall DMQLS score, and clinical indicator values (fasting blood glucose, 2-h postprandial blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin). Correlation analyses showed that the changes in Disease, Physiology, Psychology, and Satisfaction domain scores of the DMQLS and in the overall DMQLS score were negatively correlated with changes in clinical indicator values.


CONCLUSIONS
Intensive frequency of follow-up is associated with improved QOL and clinical indicators and thus may be a preferred approach for type 2 diabetes patients on oral hypoglycemic agents. As QoL is negatively correlated with clinical indicators, it could be used as a comprehensive indicator of therapeutic effects on type 2 diabetes patients.
Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Ming
M
Hu
Zhiguang
Z
Zhou
Fang
F
Zeng
Zhenqiu
Z
Sun
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D057285:Precision Medicine; D011788:Quality of Life; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human; C057619:glimepiride