Abstract:

Objective To survey the quality of life in patients with diabetes from urban and rural areas in Chongqing, discuss associated influencing factors, and provide evidence for improving the quality of life in diabetic patients. Methods The multi-stage cluster random sampling was used to obtain 496 cases of type 2 diabetes and their quality of life was assessed with the General Information Questionnaire and the Diabetes Specific Quality of Life Scale (DSQL). The univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors for the quality of life in urban and rural dimensions .Results The average score of patients with type 2 diabetes was 62.80±14.47 and the quality of life in patients in rural areas was lower as compared with patients in urban areas (P<0.01). The most influenced dimension was psychological/spiritual dimension, followed by physiological function, social relations, and treatment dimensions (P<0.01). There are differences in psychological/spiritual, physiological function, and social relations dimensions between patients in urban and rural areas (P<0.01). Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis showed that the total score of quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes in urban areas was correlated to the duration of diabetes (β=0.169, P=0.004), education level (β=-0.105,P=0.043), and per capita monthly income (β=-0.126, P=0.007). The total score of quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes in rural areas was correlated to the sex (β=0.157, P=0.040) and per capita monthly income (β=-0.116, P=0.025).  Conclusion In Chongqing, the quality of life among patients with type 2 diabetes in urban areas is better as compared with patients in rural areas. Purposeful interventions should be carried out according to different influencing factors for the quality of life among patients with type 2 diabetes in urban and rural areas in order to improve the quality of life.

Key words: type 2 diabetes, urban and rural areas, quality of life, influencing factors, Diabetes Specific Quality of Life Scale