Diabetes Mellitus and Epilepsy: A Comparative Quality of Life Study

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus and epilepsy are two of the most frequent, chronic diseases affecting many millions of people around the world. Both diseases can cause long-term and acute complications that adversely affect the sufferers’ lives. Objective: The purpose was to compare the quality of life (QoL) of patients suffering from diabetes or epilepsy in relation to the general population in Greece. Methodology: A matched-control prospective design was used with a sample consisting of three sub-groups (i.e., 30 patients with diabetes, 30 with epilepsy, and 30 healthy volunteers) matched for age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Data were collected through SF-36. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS v.21 and both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. The x2, the Mann–Whitney, and the Kruskal–Wallis test were employed for group comparisons at a significance level of <0.05. Results: The sample’s mean age was 52 years, range 48–65, and the majority was women (i.e., 60). There were no statistically significant differences among the three subcategories for an educational level or income level for the three sub-groups (P < 0.05). The mean SF-36 scores per domain for each group are as follows: Diabetes: Mean: 48.46, SD =15.83, Median: 50.2, Mode: 70.6. For Epilepsy Mean: 52.92, SD =17.37, Median: 52.7, Mode: 81.6 and Healthy volunteers Mean: 70.47, SD =14.97, Median: 69, Mode: 86.6. Thus, the general population has a higher mean, that is, 70.47 compared to diabetics 48.46 and epileptics 52.92. All comparisons were statistically significant (P < 0.05) except for the Pain, Health Vitality, and Mental Health domains (P > 0.05). Discussion: The findings highlight the impact of both diabetes and epilepsy on the QoL in Greece. Patients with DM may feel challenged by their disease and the tiring daily management of their medication and lifestyle changes. Similarly, patients with epilepsy are facing daily anxiety and practical difficulties related to their diagnosis. Both patent groups carry the constant stress of not knowing of when their condition will manifest itself with either a seizure or a hypo/hyperglycemic reaction. Conclusions: Results have shown that the general population has a better QoL than diabetic and epileptic patients. Of course, we should bear in mind that the difference in results between the three categories of the sample is minimal; thus, there is no difference in the QoL of diabetics and epileptics in the general population.