Saneh Khunkaew, Ritin Fernandez and Jenny Sim
University of Wollongong, Australia
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Diabetes Metab
Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disease which may lead to microvascular circulation problems. A significant problem associated with diabetic foot ulcers is the loss of health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The aim of this systematic review was to determine the factors for low health related quality of life among people living with diabetic foot ulcers. A systematic search of the medical and nursing/health content databases including MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO was conducted. Random effect meta-analysis and narrative analysis were used to identify the factors for low health related quality of life. Twelve observational studies were identified. Four of eight subscales in the SF-36 (physical functioning mean=44.8 (SE 2.8), role physical mean=23.5 (SE 3.9), general health mean=40.09 (SE 2.0), and vitality mean=48.65 (SE 2.2)) were poor among people with diabetic foot ulcers. People who had pain also reported low HRQOL (p<0.05). Furthermore, the biomedical indicators of poor glycaemic control (CRP, ABI, and HbA1c) were related to low HRQOL. The ulcers size (Wagnerâ??s grade 2 or 3) was also associated with HRQOL impairment. These findings have identified a number of important factors determining the low HRQOL in people with diabetic foot ulcers. The presentation will share the findings from this review to assist health care professionals to make decisions on clinical care and education program to improve the HRQOL among people with diabetic foot ulcers.
Saneh Khunkaew has completed his Master’s degree from Mälardalen University, Sweden. He is a PhD candidate from University of Wollongong School of Nursing, Australia. He is an expert on diabetic foot care.
