Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

School of Pharmacy

Department

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Committee Chair

Jan Kavookjian

Abstract

This study examines relationships between quality of life (QoL) and clinical outcomes, specifically A1C, in Type 2 diabetes patients. Type 2 diabetes patients at the outpatient clinics of a university hospital completed the SF-12 and the Audit of Diabetes Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL), and this was merged with a retrospective collection of his/her clinical and utilization data, including A1C. Usable response rate was 44.3% (n = 385). Mean A1C of respondents was 7.2 (+1.4), mean diabetes duration was 10.2 (+9.1), and 62.1% were obese. Only ADDQoL scores showed significant correlation with A1C (r = -0.19, p < 0.000). Hierarchical regression models were used to explain the effect of A1C on QoL controlling for demographics and clinical variables. A1C was not a significant predictor in any regression model, although univariate analyses indicated significantly lower ADDQoL and SF-12 PCS in the group with A1C > 7.0. Obesity was a significant predictor in models explaining only the PCS and MCS scores. These results support complementary use of generic and disease-specific QoL measures in Type 2 diabetes populations. Patient's perceptions of their own life may differ from what a biomedical measure like A1C suggests.

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