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Health Status Assessed by the SF-36 Along the Diabetes Continuum in an Australian Population

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Abstract

Objective: To examine the association of health status with stage along the diabetes continuum. Design, setting and participants: Self-reported health status (SF-36) was assessed in the North West Adelaide Health Study, a representative population cohort (n = 4060) aged 18 years and over in metropolitan South Australia. Impaired fasting glucose (IFG), undiagnosed diabetes, diagnosed diabetes, glycaemic control and cardiovascular disease were determined from fasting blood and self-reported data. Results: The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was 5.6% (95% CI: 4.9–6.3), with an additional 1.0% (95% CI: 0.7–1.4) previously undiagnosed. When compared to those with normal glucose, those with diabetes were significantly impaired on all SF-36 dimensions except Mental Health, and those with IFG (4.3%) were significantly impaired in terms of Physical Functioning and Bodily Pain when controlling for the effects of age, sex and cardiovascular disease. Poor glycaemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7.0%) was also associated with impaired health status. Conclusions: Health status is impaired not only among those with diagnosed diabetes but also those with IFG and undiagnosed diabetes.

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Abbreviations

FPG:

Fasting plasma glucose

HRQL:

Health-related quality of life

IFG:

Impaired fasting glucose

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. South Australian Department of Health, Diabetes Clearing House, Population Research and Outcome Studies Unit, PO Box 287, Rundle Mall, Adelaide, 5000, South Australia, Australia

    Catherine R. Chittleborough & Katherine L. Baldock

  2. South Australian Department of Health, Population Research and Outcome Studies Unit, South Australia, Australia

    Anne W. Taylor

  3. Endocrine and Diabetes Service, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Health Service, South Australia, Australia

    Patrick J. Phillips

Authors
  1. Catherine R. Chittleborough
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  2. Katherine L. Baldock
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  3. Anne W. Taylor
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  4. Patrick J. Phillips
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The North West Adelaide Health Study Team

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Correspondence to Catherine R. Chittleborough.

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Chittleborough, C.R., Baldock, K.L., Taylor, A.W. et al. Health Status Assessed by the SF-36 Along the Diabetes Continuum in an Australian Population. Qual Life Res 15, 687–694 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-005-3570-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-005-3570-8

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