[Factors correlated with low-income diabetic patients' quality of life in Bogota].
OBJECTIVE
Identifying the factors correlated with health-related quality of life (QOL) amongst low-income diabetic patients attending two public hospitals in Bogotá.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study involving 153 type 2 diabetic patients. The variables studied were socio-demographic characteristics, social support, lifestyle and clinical measurements (HbA1c, BMI, and cholesterol). The SF-8 health survey (8-item short form) was used for assessing health-related QOL.


RESULTS
Overall physical score was 41.4 (SE 8.5) and overall mental score 46.5 (SE 7.3); the scores never exceeded 50 points. The factors correlated with lower QOL regarding the physical domain were occupation, social support, physical activity and fat intake and age, occupation, social support, and smoking status regarding the mental domain.


CONCLUSIONS
The patients surveyed here had a poor QOL. The factors correlated with health-related QOL included socio-demographic characteristics, social support and lifestyle. These findings should be taken into account when formulating public health policy to readdress the current healthcare model for controlling diabetes.
Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia, olga.gomez@correounivalle.edu.co.
Diana I
DI
Muñoz
Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia, olga.gomez@correounivalle.edu.co.
Olga L
OL
Gómez
Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia, olga.gomez@correounivalle.edu.co.
Luz Carime
LC
Ballesteros
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003105:Colombia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population
D002784:Cholesterol; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin