Assessment of quality of life and its determinants in type-2 diabetes patients using the WHOQOL-BREF instrument in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is rising at a rapid rate worldwide. As a chronic, incurable metabolic disease, diabetes affects a person's life in all ways. Studies thus far have focused on the impact of diabetes on the physical and mental health of persons affected by the quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to explore the whole range of QoL deficits using the World Health Organization Quality of Life brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) in type-2 diabetic patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out among individuals aged at or above 15 years with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Patients with prior mental health illness and unwillingness to give consent were excluded. A pretested structured questionnaire including the 26-item WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used for face-to-face interviews. Appropriate ethical measures were ensured. All statistical analyses were carried out using the statistical software STATA (Version 16.1). Graphs were created using R (Version 4.0.0). RESULTS: A total of 500 T2 DM patients with a mean age of 55.8 ± 13.2 years (± SD) and a female proportion of 50.8% were included. Overall, 22.2% of participants rated their QoL as poor, and 25% were dissatisfied with their health (as assessed by questions 1 and 2 of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire). More than half (54% and 51.2%, respectively) had an average evaluation of their QoL and health. The QoL scores were below average, with mean scores (± SD) for the physical health, psychological, social relationship, and environmental domains of 37.2 ± 20.5, 44.2 ± 21.0, 39.6 ± 23.2, and 41.6 ± 19.5, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the patient's level of education and monthly family income were significant positive modifiers and that complications (nephropathy, retinopathy, and peripheral artery disease) were significant negative determinants of the QoL score in different domains. CONCLUSION: This study found the overall quality of life among T2DM patients below average. Health authorities and clinicians should take these findings into account and incorporate necessary measures to ameliorate negative modifiers of the quality of life of sufferers.

The Incidence of Hypoglycemia among Insulin-Treated Patients with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes: Bangladeshi Cohort of International Operations-Hypoglycemia Assessment Tool Study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Bangladeshi cohort of the International Operations-Hypoglycemia Assessment Tool study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with either T1DM or T2DM, aged ≥18 years, treated with insulin (any regimen) for >12 months, and completed self-assessment questionnaires (SAQs) to record demography, treatment information, and hypoglycemia during the 6-month retrospective and 4-week prospective periods (a total of 7 months) were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: A total of 1179 patients were enrolled and completed the SAQ1 (T1DM, n = 25; T2DM, n = 1154). Almost all patients (T1DM: 100.0% [95% confidence interval (CI): 86.3%, 100.0%] and T2DM: 97.0% [95% CI: 95.9%, 97.9%]) experienced at least 1 hypoglycemic event prospectively. The estimated rates of any and severe hypoglycemia were 26.6 (95% CI: 19.8, 35.0) and 14.1 (95% CI: 9.3, 20.4) events per patient-per year (PPY), respectively, for patients with T1DM and 18.3 (95% CI: 17.4, 19.2) and 12.1 (95% CI: 11.4, 12.9) events PPY, respectively, for patients with T2DM during the prospective period. At baseline, mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (±standard deviation) was 8.1 (±1.8%) for T1DM and 8.8 (±1.8%) for T2DM. Hypoglycemic rate was independent of HbA1c levels and types of insulin. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first patient dataset of self-reported hypoglycemia in Bangladesh; results confirm that hypoglycemia is underreported.

Safe and pragmatic use of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes mellitus: South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies consensus statement.

Diabetes prevalence shows a continuous increasing trend in South Asia. Although well-established treatment modalities exist for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management, they are limited by their side effect profile. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) with their novel insulin-independent renal action provide improved glycemic control, supplemented by reduction in weight and blood pressure, and cardiovascular safety. Based on the clinical outcomes with SGLT2i in patients with T2DM, treatment strategies that make a "good clinical sense" are desirable. Considering the peculiar lifestyle, body types, dietary patterns (long duration religious fasts), and the hot climate of the South Asian population, a unanimous decision was taken to design specific, customized guidelines for T2DM treatment strategies in these regions. The panel met for a discussion three times so as to get a consensus for the guidelines, and only unanimous consensus was included. After careful consideration of the quality and strength of the available evidence, the executive summary of this consensus statement was developed based on the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology protocol.