Abstract

ABADE, Mário Rui  and  AMARO, José de Santo. Relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Quality of Life of diabetic patients. Acta Port Nutr [online]. 2019, n.18, pp.20-24. ISSN 2183-5985.  https://doi.org/10.21011/apn.2019.1804.

Introduction: In diabetic population, the adherence to Mediterranean Diet is associated with fewer medical complications, which allows a better glycemic and weight control. However, there is a lack of studies that assesses if good adherence to Mediterranean Diet results in better Health-Related Quality of Life in diabetic individuals. Objectives: This study intends to assess the association between adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Health-Related Quality of Life in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methodology: We assessed Health-Related Quality of Life in 185 patients (103 women and 82 men) by filling a generic questionnaire (SF-36) and a specific one for diabetes, the Diabetes Health Profile (DHP-18). The participants were individually interviewed to complete an assessment tool of the adherence to Mediterranean Diet, the PREDIMED. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS. All statistical tests were performed with a 95% confidence interval, considering a p-value of <0.05 statistically significant. Results: Our sample shows a higher prevalence of obesity (43.7%), dyslipidemia (77.8%), hypertension (87.4%), and glycated hemoglobin (77.2%) over the recommendation, in the poor adherence to Mediterranean Diet group comparing to good adherence group. The adherence to Mediterranean Diet score is significantly associated with higher scores (p <0.05) in some SF-36 dimensions: general health, physical functioning, role functioning, as well, in the physical summary measure. Conclusions: People with type 2 diabetes have better Health-Related Quality of Life especially in physical health dimensions by appealing to a diet based on the principles of Mediterranean Diet. It will be important to develop health education programs that promote the adoption of Mediterranean Diet in diabetic population at either individual and community level, as well a strategy to reduce the disease burden, and prevent or delay diabetes-related complications that may cause loss of functionality and/or physical disability.

Keywords : Adherence to Mediterranean Diet; Type 2 diabetes; Health-Related Quality of Life.

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