Objective: To estimate the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) related risk factors in Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) patients.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed using 81 type 2 diabetes patients with DFU, from January 2019 to May 2019, at one of the chief tertiary hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study population was chosen with purpose and convenience, based on patient availability during their regular and customary outpatient clinic visits. Using the Arabic version of the Short-Form 36-Item Survey (SF-36) these patients were interviewed and the HRQOL was assessed.
Results: From the univariate analysis preformed, it was evident that the independent factors mentioned induced vital variations in the patients’ physical functions viz., age, gender, education, occupation, smoking, duration of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, body mass index (BMI) and the number of diabetes-associated complications, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The physical health of the patient was strongly influenced by gender, education, occupation, income, BMI and number of complications. The emotional health of the patient was affected by dyslipidemia, deformity and prior amputations, as well as BMI and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The social standing of the patient was impacted by age, income, education, and occupation. The degree of pain experienced by the patient varied with age and number of complications, as well as with the notable differences in their general health. The factors of age, education, occupation, income and number of complications induced several health changes to differing degrees.
Conclusion: The DFU patients generally revealed low HRQOL. However, prospective and large-scale studies are required, in the future, to support these findings.
M. Aldawish: None. M. Al-Ayed: None.
