SELF-RATED HEALTH AND DIABETES OF LONG-DURATION - THE WISCONSIN EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY OF DIABETIC-RETINOPATHY

OBJECTIVE - To evaluate the self-reported quality of life in individua ls with diabetes of long duration. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - An in terview was administered 14 years after baseline to two cohorts of ind ividuals with diabetes who have been followed in an epidemiological st udy periodically since 1980. Responses to the Medical Outcomes Study S hort Form 36 as related to complications of diabetes, age, glycosylate d hemoglobin level, and other characteristics were assessed. RESULTS - Physical function, physical role, general health scales, and a genera l question about health were related to diabetes characteristics in ol der-and younger-onset individuals. Symptoms of sensory neuropathy were associated with the four measures in both younger- (n = 645) and olde r-onset (n = 292) individuals. Other descriptive variables in the youn ger-onset group were the presence of nephropathy, cardiovascular disea se, smoking, peak expiratory flow physical activity. and glycosylated hemoglobin. Hypoglycemic reactions were of only borderline significanc e and that for only one scale (physical role). in older-onset individu als, cardiovascular disease, physical activity, and sex were descripti ve of responses to the quality-of-life questions. CONCLUSIONS - Factor s related to diabetes contribute to self-assessed health. Some of thes e factors may be modifiable, which. if altered. may lead to improved q uality of life.