International Journal of Nursing

Impact of Diabetic Foot and others Comorbidities on the Quality of Life of Diabetic Patients Monitored at a Specialized Outpatient Clinic
Rosangela M. Saalfeld, RN, MS, Kátia Sheylla M. Purim, MD, PhD, Solena Kusma, MD, PhD

Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the impact of diabetic foot and others comorbidities on the quality of life of diabetic patients. Design: This is a cross-sectional descriptive quantitative study. Method: Non-probabilistic convenience sample comprised of 60 adult patients, being 30 with ulceration and 30 without ulceration in the lower limbs. We used a specific questionnaire on quality of life of diabetic patients (B-PAID). Statistical significance was obtained with a p value of <0.05. Results: The ulcerated group showed statistical significance for kidney disease (p=0.010), arterial insufficiency (p=0.003), risk classification (p=0.010) and presence of atrophic scars (p=0.010). Mean B-PAID scores were 47 for individuals with ulceration and 34.3 for those without ulceration (p=0.05). Comparing the groups defined by B-PAID (<40 or ≥40) in relation to the number of comorbidities, statistical difference was found (p<0.001), with an average of 5 comorbidities in the B-PAID <40 group and 6.8 in the B-PAID ≥40 group. Correlations were significant in the B-PAID ≥40 group, for females (p=0.020), absence of physical activity (p=0.049), presence of obesity (p=0.032), presence of kidney disease (p=0.027). Conclusions: Patients’ quality of life was impacted above all by the presence of feet ulcers and by comorbidities, whereby these patients had greater emotional suffering.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijn.v6n1a12