A Cross-sectional Study to assess the “Quality of Life” and their impact on employment among Diabetic foot patients in a Tertiary care Hospital in a Metropolitan city

Abstract

Background: India leads the world with largest number of diabetic patients earning the dubious distinction of being termed the “Diabetes Capital of the World.The most frequent consequence of diabetes mellitus is diabetic foot ulcer. Quality of life is decreased by diabetic foot illness. It is linked to reduced productivity and early retirement. This research was done to assess the health related quality of life.among those who have diabetic foot ulcers, as well as to assess the impact on employment status of diabetic foot ulcer. Objectives: To assess the impact of employment status among diabetic foot ulcer patients. To assess the impact of diabetic foot ulcer on health related quality of life among diabetic foot patients. Materials and methods: This was a cross sectional observational study among 196 diabetic foot ulcer patients of either sex visiting the General surgery OPD of a tertiary care hospital in a metropolitan city.Complete enumeration method was used in this study. A semi-structured predesigned pretested questionnaire was used in this study. It contains socio -demographic details, General examination, disease and treatment related details, and employment related characteristics.A standardized questionnaire, SF-36 v2, was used to measure QOL of diabetic foot patients. Results: Majority of participants are in paid employment (n=70, 35.71%) followed by unemployed (n=58, 29.59%) then self-employed (n=38, 19.38%) and 30 (15.30%) are retired respectively. the mean days lost due to diabetic foot was 145.5±31.5 while the mean wages lost per day is Rs.322±295. Conclusion: In the present study majority of study participants had poor health related quality of life in environmental,physical and mental health.Majority of participants are in paid employment (n=70, 35.71%) followed by unemployed (n=58, 29.59%) with diabetic foot ulcer and reported of having left a job/changed job.