Quality of life perception in type 2 diabetes

PURPOSE Lifestyle analysis is often used for primary and secondary prevention in many chronic metabolic diseases, including diabetes. Questionnaires are simple and common methods for first investigation risk of factors related to the perception of quality of life (QoL). The present study evaluates the feasibility to use questionnaires for first investigation of risk factors, and ascertain whether the results of such questionnaires are associated with the perception of QoL. METHODS Validated questionnaires from the international ACSM guidelines were used to study a cohort of 142 consecutive type 2 diabetes patients (mean age: 66.1 years ± 10.9). RESULTS QoL perception was normal; BMI was compatible with overweight in 79.1% of subjects, and obesity in 20.9%. Cognitive abilities decreased with age and low consumption of dried fruit and legumes. There was evidence of a statistically significant association between BMI and QoL (rho = -0.18; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Questionnaires are useful to assess lifestyle habits and highlight risks factors. Poor knowledge of patients' own chronic disease may contribute to a negative impact in diabetes.