Health-related quality of life and type 2 diabetes: A study of people living in the Bella Coola Valley

Methods: The investigators relied on a population-based retrospective chart review and a survey distributed by mail. Participants were adults with type 2 diabetes living in the Bella Coola Valley who had a chart at the Bella Coola Medical Clinic as of September 2001. All participants completed a detailed health-related quality of life survey between August and December 2001. The diabetesrelated information that was collected from charts included duration of diabetes, blood sugar control as measured by glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin use, and number and severity of complications. Healthrelated quality of life was measured using the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey and items from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Results: The most prevalent diabetic complications were coronary ar tery disease (16%), retinopathy (15%), cerebrovascular accidents (9%), neuropathy (9%), peripheral vascular disease (7%), and nephro pathy (6%). Most of these complications were assessed as being “min imal” to “moderate” in severity. Significant correlations were found between chart-specific information (duration, insulin use, complications) and many different healthrelated quality of life survey items. Improved blood sugar control was paradoxically associated with lower health-related quality of life domain scores.