Gurkova and colleagues attempted to identify and compare factors affecting quality of life and treatment satisfaction in people attending an educational program for patients with intensified insulin therapy. A sample of 104 patients was recruited from a diabetes specialized center between November 2006 and March 2007. As outcomes, the investigators assessed patient's quality of life with the Audit Diabetes Dependent Quality of Life questionnaire, and patient's satisfaction with their treatment regimen with the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. Treatment satisfaction has different variables or predictors from quality of life. Quality of life was affected by the number of reported diabetic late complications, type of insulin regimen, age, and diabetes duration. Type of insulin regimen, the frequency of blood glucose self-monitoring, and perceived frequency of hyperglycemia demonstrated the significant association with treatment satisfaction.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: The authors concluded that their findings could help health-care professionals have a deeper understanding of the factors affecting quality of life and treatment satisfaction. This understanding could thereby aid in the design of strategies to maintain or improve quality of life and treatment satisfaction.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A PATIENT: You hope that your health care providers develop a deeper understanding of ways to treat you and your diabetes. Your learning and faithfully performing self-management skills will not only benefit you, but could change your provider’s attitudes towards you and your diabetes.

E Gurkova et al. Quality of life and treatment satisfaction in the context of diabetes self-management education. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 2009;15:91-98.