[Analysis of the experience of diabetes mellitus through case study: an approach to patient's quality of life]. / Análisis de la vivencia de la diabetes mellitus a través del estudio de casos: una aproximación a la calidad de vida del paciente.

BACKGROUND: To assess how patients with diabetes experience their condition. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Pilot study conducted in 10 selected patients with type 1 diabetes. A structured interview guide was prepared including physical, social and emotional areas. The information provided was analyzed qualitatively, key statements were coded in analysis units and processed using the computer program Ethnograph. RESULTS: Conceptual maps show that this group of patients: a) Do not feel physically limited but they need a constant planning of every aspect of their lives; b) they avoid openly manifesting their condition, they perceive discrimination at work and little social awareness, and c) except for survival skills, they primarily learn about their disease and its management through their own experience. CONCLUSION: This qualitative research method allows for the application of these observations to different groups within similar problems and contexts.

Evaluation of the diabetes quality-of-life questionnaire in a Spanish population. An experience of translation and reliability.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a version of the diabetes quality-of-life (DQOL) questionnaire adapted and translated into Spanish. The DQOL questionnaire consists of 46 items and is not sensitive to treatment regimens or self-monitoring; therefore, the instrument might be useful to a wide range of patients with diabetes who use different methods of diabetes management. 105 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus volunteered to complete the questionnaire. This Spanish version of the DQOL achieved a high global internal consistency (alpha = 0.90), and some outcome similarities, such as more favourable scores among younger patients (up to 21 years of age) and adult male patients compared with the original DQOL. These data show that the Spanish version of the DQOL has a high internal consistency (reliability) and might be a useful comparable tool to evaluate quality of life in Spanish-speaking patients with diabetes mellitus.