Impact of comorbidities on health-related quality of life in diabetic patients: Evidence from a South Korean population-based panel study.
ObjectiveThis study employed data derived from a nationally representative panel survey to investigate the impact of comorbidities on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of individuals living with diabetes mellitus.MethodsA retrospective, cross-sectional, population-based analysis was conducted using data from 10,049 participants in the Korea Health Panel Survey (KHPS) in 2020. The participants were divided into three groups: individuals without diabetes, individuals with diabetes only, and individuals with diabetes and comorbidities. HRQoL was assessed using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) tool. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the contribution of comorbidities to HRQoL scores.ResultsComorbidities were associated with lower scores in physiological, psychological, and overall HRQoL. A significant reduction in HRQoL was observed with comorbidities, and a negative association was established between the number of comorbidities and physiological and overall HRQoL (P < .001). Demographic factors such as age, education, and disability significantly influenced HRQoL. In addition, psychological factors such as high stress had a substantial impact on HRQoL, particularly in individuals with diabetes and comorbidities (P < .01).ConclusionComorbidities considerably impair HRQoL among patients with diabetes. Health providers should consider the presence of comorbidities and diseases in diabetes when developing intervention methods to effectively manage diabetes and patients' well-being.