The study aimed to investigate the impact of different factors on health-related quality of life of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM) in primary care.

A cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted in a 540 random sample of adults with type 2diabetes mellitus. Social and demographic data, habits, cardiovascular disease and risk factors, DM complications and data for use drugs were collected. Clinical parameters data and biological measures were collected from medical records. Patients’ reported outcome measurements (PROMs) were recorded via the Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality-of-Life (ADDQoL-19). Bivariant analysis with Fisher's exact test or a Mann–Whitney U test was performed, P<0.05 or 95% CI were considered as significant.

After excluding patients with missing data, the cohort consisted of 411 eligible patients. Mean age 59.9±11.6 years; 52.6% men; 66% married; 71% living in cities. Mean years of evolution 8.7±5.7. Prevalence of CVD 45.7%; current smokers 24% and 15.6% insulin-treated. We found a significant relation between lower quality of life and gender (female, P<0.05), marital status (singe, P<0.05), education level (primary, P<0.05), working situation (unemployed, P<0.01), duration of diabetes (> 5 years, P<0.001), complications (P<0.001) and insulin treatment (P<0.001).

Improving the quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus can be achieved by early prevention and diagnosis of the disease, prevention of its complications and effective treatment of chronic underlying conditions by primary care physician and specialists. Appropriate disease management could help to improve quality and patient-centeredness of care in this specific group of subjects.