T.I. Ionova, A.Y. Rodionovа, K.A. Kurbatovа, T.P. Nikitinа

Quality of life and hypoglycemia symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving in real clinical practice

In assessing the results of treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) important to study patient-reported outcomes, that is, the study of its quality of life (QoL) and subjective symptoms. The оbjective of this study was study in clinical practice QoL and symptoms of hypoglycemia in patients with DM2, receiving combination oral hypoglycemic therapy.

The study included 160 patients with DM2, participating in the program «Quality of life, problems associated with hypoglycemia, adherence and satisfaction with treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes against the background therapy with oral hypoglycemic agents in clinical practice».

The average age of patients was 62,3 years, 70% of patients – women, the average length of the disease – 6,5 years. To assess the QoL of patients filled the overall quality of life questionnaire SF-36. Symptoms associated with hypoglycemia assessed using a questionnaire Novartis Hypoglycemia Perspectives Questionnaire (HPQ). Patients were divided into 2 groups: 1 group – 82 patients (51.3%) received vildagliptin in combination with metformin; 2 group – 78 patients (48.7%) was obtained sulfonylureas in combination with metformin. It has been shown that patients with DM2 higher QoL for vildagliptin+metformin therapyt compared to sulfonylurea therapy in combination with metformin. Significant differences were found scales for role physical and role emotional functioning, pain, vitality, social functioning and for the integral index of QoL.

It was found that the incidence of hypoglycemic states within 6 months in patients with DM2 therapy for vildagliptin+metformin was less than sulfonylurea therapy+metformin (28 and 59% respectively). Episodes of nocturnal and severe hypoglycemia registered only on therapy with metformin+sulfonylurea derivatives.

There were significant differences in the following areas: emotional response to the occurrence of hypoglycemia; concern about the possibility of the onset of symptoms of hypoglycemia; anxiety associated with hypoglycemia; the impact on the functioning of hypoglycemia; the importance of adaptive behavior. Application in outpatient clinical practice standardized questionnaires QoL and hypoglycemia it will optimize the management of patients with DM2.