Specific foot health‐related quality‐of‐life impairment in patients with type II versus type I diabetes

Abstract

The aims of this research were to evaluate and compare the effect in a matched sample of patients with type II and type I diabetes scores using a specific quality‐of‐life (QoL) tool related to overall and foot health (Foot Health Status Questionnaire [FHSQ]). A sample of 62 patients with an age median of 59.00 ± 19.00 y were divided into type I (n = 31) and type II (n = 31) diabetes groups. Socio‐demographics data include: (1) age, (2) gender, (3) body mass index, (4) professional activity, (5) study level, and (6) civil status. The FHSQ was used to evaluate foot (pain, function, footwear, and general health section I domains) and overall (general health, social capacity, physical activity, and vigour section II domains) health related to QoL. Differences between groups were assessed by means of a t test or Mann‐Whitney U test for independent samples. There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) for any socio‐demographic data. Regarding the FHSQ section II of the specific foot health‐related QoL, the only statistically significant differences (P = 0.042) were observed for the general foot health showing a QoL impairment (lower median ± interquartile range) in patients diagnosed with type II diabetes (60.00 ± 60.00 points) compared with patients who suffered from type I diabetes (25.00 ± 72.50 points). The other domains did not show any statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). Patients with type II diabetes present a negative impact on the specific foot health‐related QoL compared with patients who suffered from type I diabetes.