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Health-related Quality Of Life Of Diabetes Mellitus Patients And Non-diabetics
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Diabetes mellitus is defined as a group of metabolic diseases characterized by increased level
of glucose in the blood resulting from defects in insulin secretion or insulin action or both [American
Diabetic Association (ADA), (2004); Huang, Hwang, Wu, Lin, Leite &
Wu, (2008)]. It is a devastating illness that has physical, social,
emotional and economic implications. It impinges on the quality of life
and overall health status of the individuals, as well as direct health
care cost and indirect costs to the society when related to lost
productivity. It is a chronic and distressing illness that makes demands
on the individual by causing a lot of short-term and long-term
complications that is life threatening. Diabetes mellitus is the leading
cause of non-traumatic amputation and blindness in working age adults
and the third leading cause of death from diseases primarily, because of
the high rate of cardiovascular complications (myocardial infarction,
stroke, and peripheral vascular disease) among people with diabetes
(Smeltzer, Bare, Hinkle & Cheever, 2010).
Studies have shown that
the incidence of diabetes is on the increase. The centre for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) (2011), stated that in 2010, an estimated
79 million American adults aged 20years or older with pre-diabetes. In
2000, the world-wide estimate of the prevalence of diabetes was 171
million people, and by 2030, this is expected to increase to 366 million
(Wild, Roglic, Green et al, 2004). The International Diabetes
Federation (IDF) estimated that 194 million people had diabetes in the
year 2003, and about two thirds of these people lived in developing
countries of which Nigeria is one. The President of IDF (2006-2009),
warned that if left unchecked, the number of people with diabetes will
reach 380million in less than 20years. This will mean 1 out of 14 adults
worldwide will have diabetes in the years 2025. The loss of earnings
and life will be hard to bear.
Diabetes mellitus was once regarded as
a disease of the affluent but is now vastly visible as a growing health
problem in developing economies as almost 80% of diabetes deaths occur
in low and middle income countries, of which Nigeria is one (Diabetes
Atlas, 2006). Available data suggests that it is emerging as a major
health problem in Africa, including Nigeria. In the African
sub-region, diabetes is frequently undiagnosed. In most cases, it is
diagnosed incidentally during routine check-up or when the patient
presents with the complications (International Diabetes Federation,
African Region, 2006). The World Health Organization (WHO) statistics
indicates that Nigeria has the highest number of diabetics in
Sub-Saharan Africa (Chinenye & Ogbera, 2013). The incidence and
prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Nigeria continues to increase despite
great deal of research and resources. With current trend of transition
from communicable to non-communicable disease, it is projected that
non-communicable diseases will equal or even exceed communicable
diseases in developing nations, including Nigeria thus culminating in
double burden of disease(Chinenye & Ogbera, 2013).The crude
prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus in Port Harcourt, Nigeria is 6.8% (
Nyenwe, Odia, Ihekwaba, Ojule & Babatunde, 2003).With the alarming
growth in the number of people suffering from diabetes, efficient and
quality care become imperative. The numerous complications of the
disease and its management poses challenges on the quality of life of
the individuals suffering from the disease, therefore the need to assess
the quality of life (QOL) of these individuals becomes necessary.
Quality
of life (Q0L) is a descriptive term that refers to people’s emotional,
social and physical well-being and their ability to function in the
ordinary task of living (Donald, 2010). Health related quality of life
(HRQ0L) is preferred by health researchers because it is used to narrow
the scope to aspects of functioning directly related to diseases and or
medical treatment (Odili, Ugboka & Oparah, 2010).
Studies of
quality of life are performed for two reasons. First, they are conducted
to evaluate the psychosocial functioning of patient group and to
identify specific problems and needs of patients at different stages of
the disease process. Secondly, and most often, HRQOL studies are
conducted to compare the impact of different regimens on the patient’s
well-being and the treatment satisfaction (Snoek, 2000).
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]Nigeria has the highest number of diabetics in Sub-Saharan Africa. As a chronic illness, diabetes mellitus (DM) places serious constraints on the people living with diabetes mellitus. The short-term and long-term complications affecting the physical, psychological and social functioning of diabetics can impinge on their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study assessed and compared the HRQOL of diabetic patients and non-diabetics in Por Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Four objectives ... Continue reading---
