Factors predicting health-related quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes in Myanmar

Abstract

This correlational predictive study aimed to examine the level of healthrelated quality of life (HRQoL) and identify predictors of HRQoL among Myanmar type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. Zhan's HRQoL model was used as a conceptual framework for this study. One hundred T2DM patients aged 18 years and above who visited followup treatment at Diabetes Clinic, Yangon General Hospital, were selected as participants by using the convenience sampling method. The patients who had been diagnosed with T2DM for at least six months and who could communicate with the Myanmar language were recruited in this study. Data were collected via questionnaires including a demographic data record form, the WHQoL-BREF, the Charlson Comorbidity Index, and the social support questionnaires, and analyzed through use of descriptive statistics and multiple regressions analysis. The results reported that the mean age of the subjects was 52.82 years (SD=11.86), the majority of the subjects were female (74%) and married (87%). All the subjects had taken oral antidiabetics medication whereas 15% had taken additional insulin injection. Sixty-one percent of the subjects had mild comorbidity with common conditions as hypertension (68%) and eye problems (17%). The subjects perceived overall social support at a moderate level (M=19.31, SD=5.29) with the moderate support from family, and poor supports from friends and health personnel. The majority of the subjects (90%) revealed overall HRQoL at a moderate level (M=77.92, SD=11.40). Females' HRQoL was lower than that of male. Four factors as gender, type of treatment, comorbidity, and social support explained HRQoL at 16.2% (R2=.162, F(4,95)= 4.593, p<.01). Social support was the strongest factor which could predict HRQoL (β= .298, p=.002) followed by gender (β = -.211, p=.029), while type of treatment, and comorbidity did not correlate HRQoL at p =.05. The findings recommend that nurses and health care personnel should pay more attention to providing health care services to the T2DM patients, especially to female patients. Evidence-based health education counseling program should be established to improve social support of the patients through the participation of their family members. Intervention studies, therefore, should be conducted to improve social support effectively and to enhance T2DM patients' HRQoL.