Health-Related Quality of Life and Its Determinants among Elderly Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in West Bengal, India

Mrinal Kanti Pramanik, Jayita Pal, Bappadittya Mahato, Ramkrishna Gayen, Anil Karmakar, Manoj Ghosh

Abstract


Background: India is experiencing an upward spiral in the diabetic population. With the impact of diabetes on physical, social, and psychological components of an individual’s life, a holistic view in terms of Quality of Life (QoL) is being increasingly recognized as an essential component of diabetes care and management. Objective: This study aims to assess the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and its determinants among the elderly population in a rural area of West Bengal, India. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 elderly patients with diabetes mellitus recruited by simple random sampling from the list available in 26 functional Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) in Haringhata Block of Nadia district in West Bengal state, India. The QoL of patients were assessed by the WHO-QoL BREF questionnaire. The four domains of the WHO-QOL-BREF26 physical health, psychological, social relationships, and environment were rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the determinants of quality of life. Results: Overall, 58% of the participants were found to have a good quality of life. 51% of the patients were unaware about diabetic complications. However, 85% of the patients reported adherence to diabetic medications. 58%, 55%, 55% and 61% reported good quality of life in physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains respectively. Sociodemographic factors like socioeconomic status, education, adherence to medicine, number of medicine intake per day, and depression appeared to be significant predictors of the outcome. Conclusion: Quality of life is an important outcome assessment tool for diabetes. Policymakers and concerned authorities may use the findings to revise their strategies if needed, and interventions for the betterment of the community.

International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 09 No. 03 Jul’25 Page: 171-179


Keywords


Elderly people, diabetes mellitus, non-communicable disease, quality of life, India

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v9i3.830

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