Evaluation of Quality of Life in the Elderly with Diabetes and Its Related Factors

Diabetes is one of the most common disorders in old age and affects the quality of life of the elderly.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life in the elderly with diabetes and determine the factors associated with it.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 130 elderly with diabetes referred to endocrinology clinics affiliated to Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. Sampling was done in an easy and accessible way. Data collection tools included a demographic information questionnaire and a 36-item short-form survey (SF36). Data analysis was performed using SPSS 16 software. For descriptive statistics, mean ± standard deviation and frequency (percentage), and analytical statistics, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used.

 The majority of participants in the study were female (56.2%), in the age range of 60-74 years (68.5%), and married (70%). The mean total score of quality of life was 46.33±16.45. The mean score of total quality of life was statistically significantly related to age, marital status, place of residence, employment status, duration of diabetes, and level of education (P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant relationship with gender (P=0.436).

The quality of life of the elderly was lower than standard. Older age, loneliness, longer duration of diabetes, rural living, unemployment, and illiteracy were associated with decreased quality of life of the elderly with diabetes; Therefore, it is suggested that policymakers consider the factors identified in this study in future planning to improve the quality of life of elderly with diabetic.