Health-related quality of life and its predictors among the type 2 diabetes population of Bangladesh: A nation-wide cross-sectional study

Aims/Introduction We aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and identify its predictors among type 2 diabetes patients of Bangladesh. Materials and Methods This nationwide cross-sectional study assessed HRQoL among 1,806 type 2 diabetes patients using the EuroQol-5 Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), and the responses were further translated into a single summary crosswalk index score using the UK time trade-off value set. The predictors were determined using multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results The mean EQ-5D-5L index score was 0.62 (standard deviation 0.25), and men scored better than women. More than half of the study participants (53.4%) were ranked as average HRQoL. Overall, 64% of respondents had a problem at least in one of the dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L, and the burden of reported problems was higher among women (70%). Among the five dimensions, the highest reported problem was 79.8% for anxiety/depression, 77.7% for pain/discomfort and 60.1% for mobility. However, younger participants (aged <30 years) showed a higher burden of anxiety/depression (95%) compared with the rest of the population. The specific predictors of average/good HRQoL (odds ratio >1) were being men, living in a rural area, married, literate, a monthly income >19,488 BDT, absence of comorbidity and had a duration of diabetes <= 5 years. Conclusions The majority of Bangladesh's type 2 diabetes patients had an average HRQoL based on the EQ-5D-5L index score. In broad terms, the identified predictors were sex, place of residence, marital status, literacy, monthly income, comorbidity and duration of diabetes.

Automated summary

The study found that the majority of type 2 diabetes patients in Bangladesh had an average health-related quality of life, with men scoring better than women. Anxiety/depression, pain/discomfort, and mobility were the most common problem dimensions, with younger patients more likely to experience anxiety/depression. Factors predicting good HRQoL included being male, living in a rural area, being married, having higher education, higher income, no comorbidities, and having diabetes for less than 5 years.