Quality of life in diabetic foot ulcer, grade 3: associated demographic factors

Introduction: Patients with diabetic foot ulcer grade 3 experience some limitations that adversely affect their quality of life (QoL). Aim: The aim of the study was to explore demographic characteristics associated with the quality of life of diabetic foot ulcer patients, grade 3. Materials and methods: The present study recruited 120 diabetic foot ulcer patients. Data collected by completion of SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Results: Of the 120 participants, 65.8% were men and 73% were more than 60 years of age. Patients showed moderate to high levels of quality of life in social functionality, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, and physical pain (medians: 50, 60, 72, and 67.5, respectively) and poor levels in physical functioning, role physical, and role emotional (medians: 22, 0 and 0, respectively). In addition, patients had moderate levels of quality of life in general health (median: 48.5). It was observed that physical functioning was significantly associated with place of residence (p=0.005). Moreover, physical role was significantly associated with age (p=0.020) and occupation (p=0.018), while emotional role was significantly associated with age (p=0.012), marital status (p=0.016), and occupation (p=0.012). Energy/fatigue was significantly associated with age (p=0.026), marital status (p=0.018), and occupation (p=0.009). Emotional well-being was significantly associated with gender (p=0.009), level of education (p=0.001), and occupation (p=0.007). Social functionality was significantly associated with marital status (p=0.001) while pain was significantly associated with education level (p=0.010). General health was significantly associated with marital status (p=0.037), and place of residence (p=0.024). Conclusions: The findings of the present study may adequately inform stakeholders in the field of diabetic foot ulcer grade 3 when planning effective care.