• N Kleefstra, L J Ubink-Veltmaat, S T Houweling, K H Groenier, B Meyboom-de Jong, and H J G Bilo.
• Department of Internal Medicine, Isala Clinics, Weezenlanden location, Zwolle, The Netherlands. kleefstra@langerhans.com
• Neth J Med. 2005 Jun 1; 63 (6): 215-21.

BackgroundTo describe the relationship between glycaemic control, hyperglycaemic symptoms and quality of life (HRQOL) in type 2 diabetic patients.MethodsIn a shared-care diabetes project HRQOL was assessed. A total of 1664 patients with type 2 diabetes were identified in 32 primary healthcare practices. Of these patients, 1149 were included. HRQOL was measured using a generic questionnaire (Rand-36), completed by 1006 of the 1149 participants.ResultsThe number of hyperglycaemic symptoms was higher in women (1.88) compared with men (1.64), without differences in mean haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (7.5%)-Univariate analyses showed negative relationships between all dimensions of the Rand-36 and hyperglycaemic symptoms (p<0.001), but between only one dimension and HbA1c (p=0.005). Multivariate analyses showed no association between any of the dimensions of the Rand-36 and HbA1c, but the relationship between hyperglycaemic symptoms persisted in all dimensions (p<0.001). Notwithstanding these results, the presence of hyperglycaemic symptoms was related to higher HbA1c.ConclusionIn type 2 diabetic patients, as assessed by a generic questionnaire, there is an evident relationship between hyperglycaemic symptoms and HRQOL and not between HbA1c and HRQOL. Subjective hyperglycaemic symptoms are, independent of HbA1c, important for HRQOL in type 2 diabetic patients, and should therefore not be neglected in the management of diabetes.

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