Ming Hu1, Zhiguang Zhou, Fang Zeng, Zhenqiu Sun. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Abstract
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. SUBJECTS AND 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.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Poor quality of life (QoL) in diabetespatients 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 diabetespatients taking hypoglycemic agents. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In total, 155 type 2 diabetespatients 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 diabetespatients 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 diabetespatients.
Authors: Jordi Alonso; Montserrat Ferrer; Barbara Gandek; John E Ware; Neil K Aaronson; Paola Mosconi; Niels K Rasmussen; Monika Bullinger; Shunichi Fukuhara; Stein Kaasa; Alain Leplège Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2004-03 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Nanne Kleefstra; Gijs W D Landman; Sebastiaan T Houweling; Lielith J Ubink-Veltmaat; Susan J J Logtenberg; Betty Meyboom-de Jong; James C Coyne; Klaas H Groenier; Henk J G Bilo Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2008-03-04 Impact factor: 19.112