BACKGROUND FACTORS, LONG-TERM COMPLICATIONS, QUALITY-OF-LIFE AND METABOLIC CONTROL IN INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES

Sixty-six of 74 adults with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) examined earlier (1988), were followed up two years later (1990) with the aim of studying the influence of sociodemografic factors, long-te rm complications and quality of life on metabolic control. It was foun d that both non-cohabitance and a major discrepancy between quality of life change ratings made prospectively (difference in current QOL rat ings made 1990 vs 1988) and retrospectively (assessed in 1990 and cove ring the same period) were associated with poorer metabolic control, a nd also that perceived somatic health was linked with better metabolic control. A majority of the persons with a major discrepancy in their quality of life ratings, seen as suggestive of difficulties in their r ealistically assessing their own life situation, was also found to be non-cohabitant and/or to have incipient nephropathy, indicating these persons to constitute a risk group. In addition, well-regulated subjec ts were found to rate their bodily health as higher than they did thei r quality of life, whereas for poorly regulated persons the opposite w as the case. The results were seen as pointing to the need of paying s pecial attention clinically to the group of persons characterized here by a major discrepancy in their quality of life change ratings and al so as emphasizing the fact that living with IDDM is a balancing act fo r the individual between satisfying bodily demands to be well-regulate d and living in such a way as to perceive quality of life.