Quality of life in non-insulin-dependent diabetes and a comparison with insulin-dependent diabetes.

The reported effects of diabetes on quality of life have been assessed in two groups of attenders at out-patient clinics: 1. One hundred and twenty-one non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients randomly allocated to diet, tablet or ultralente insulin therapy; 2. Fifty-seven patients with insulin-dependent diabetes consecutively attending an out-patient clinic. The overall picture for those with non-insulin-dependent diabetes was of relatively little disruption to most areas of life, but 27% reported considerable loss of enjoyment and reduction in social life. High fasting plasma glucose was significantly associated with fatigue and leisure difficulties. The type of therapy, tablet, diet or insulin, made little difference to psychological, social or attitude variables. Those with insulin dependent diabetes showed similar psychological morbidity, but described a rather different pattern of social consequences with more effects on work and less on leisure.