Relationship between quality of life, depression and anxiety in type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: Physical, cognitive and emotional changes in diabetic patients affect the treatment process and quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between depression and anxiety symptoms and quality of life in diabetic patients and the differences of these variables with regard to some sociodemographic factors and the type of diabetes. Method: The study sample consisted of 202 patients with diabetes mellitus (83 type 1, 119 type 2 diabetes) admitted to a wellness center in Adana. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were administered to the participants. Their sociodemographic information, body mass index, and smoking and alcohol use status were recorded. Results: The quality of life subscales were lower (general health p=0.009, physical health p=0.005, psychological health p=0.022, social relations p<0.001, environment p=0.005) and depression and anxiety symptom levels were higher (p=0.03, p=0.02) in patients with type 1 diabetes than in type 2. Depression and anxiety severity were found to be independent factors affecting all quality of life levels (p<0.01) and diabetes type was an independent factor for social quality of life (p=0.027). The general quality of life subscale score for women (p=0.042) and general, physical and psychological quality of life subscales scores of the obese (p=0.042, p=0.016, p=0.045) were low. With higher education level and lower age, quality of life was found to increase (p<0.05) while depression and anxiety levels decreased (p<0.01). There was a negative correlation between smoking (p=0.035) and quality of life and a positive correlation with anxiety level (p=0.018). Conclusion: Diabetes type, depression and anxiety are predictors of quality of life in diabetic patients. Age, weight, low education level, and smoking were also associated with poor quality of life and depression and anxiety symptom severity in diabetic patients.