Investigating the relationship between quality of life, self-care capability and HbA1c level in diabetic adolescents

Type 1 diabetes is the most common metabolic and endocrine disorders in infants and adolescents. Regarding the importance of the disease control and its effect on adolescents'' life، this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between quality of life and self-care capability among the diabetic adolescents. In this cross-sectional study، 74 diabetic adolescents were selected from Kashan diabetes center using convenience sampling. The adolescents filled out standardized quality of life questionnaire including 41 general and special questions with Likert answers (1-4) and self-care capability questionnaire including 37 questions on attitude، function and family sections with 35 Likert answers (1-4) and two answers yes/no. HbA1c measurement was performed and the demographic data including sex، age، diabetes duration and insulin injections were registered. The mean age of patients and diabetes onset were 14. 44±1. 8 and 4. 12±1. 94، respectively and the patients received 33. 7±12. 45 (IU/day) insulin. Results showed no significant relationship between the quality of life and HbA1c level (P=0. 58). Moreover، no significant relationship was found between the self-care capability and HbA1c level (P=0. 79). However، a significant relationship was found between the quality of life and self-care capability (P=0. 001). Considering the low HbA1c level، the quality of life and self-care capability in diabetic adolescents were not desirable in this city.