Search
- Page Path
- HOME > Search
Original Article
- Quality of Life and Its Influencing Factors among Older Adults with Diabetes Mellitus in Korea
- Mee Young Im
- STRESS. 2025;33(4):226-235. Published online December 31, 2025
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17547/kjsr.2025.33.4.226
- 1,161 View
- 31 Download
- 1 Citations
-
Abstract
PDF - Background
This study aimed to assess the quality of life (QoL) of older adults with diabetes in Korea and to identify the factors influencing their QoL.
Methods
A total of 1,887 individuals aged ≥65 years with diabetes (weighted n=8,305,093) from the 7th–8th (2018–2020) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were analyzed. Considering the complex sampling design, descriptive statistical analyses, independent t-tests, analysis of variance, and multiple regression analyses were performed.
Results
The mean EQ‑5D index score was 0.87 (±0.01). Among the five EQ‑5D dimensions, self-care had the highest proportion of participants reporting “no problems” (86.6%), whereas mobility had the lowest proportion (57.5%). Significant factors associated with QoL included economic activity (B=0.02, p＜.001), chewing difficulty (B=−0.04, p＜.001), activity limitations (B=−0.10, p＜.001), and aerobic physical activity (B=0.04, p＜.001). In particular, all mental health variables—including perceived health status (B=−0.08, p＜.001), perceived stress (B=−0.03, p＜.021), and depression (B=−0.13, p＜.001)—showed significant associations with QoL. The final regression model explained 40.7% of the variance in QoL (Adj. R2=40.7, p＜.001).
Conclusions
The QoL of older adults with diabetes may be influenced not only by physical health, but also by psychological well-being. Therefore, integrated nursing interventions that promote physical activity, maintain oral health, and enhance mental health are essential for improving the QoL in this population. -
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
- The mediating effect of subjective oral health status on the relationship between subjective masticatory function, happiness, and quality of life among geriatric patients with diabetes based on the 2024 Community Health Survey Data
Ye-Eun Shim, Seung-Eun Lee
Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion.2026; 43(1): 133. CrossRef
- The mediating effect of subjective oral health status on the relationship between subjective masticatory function, happiness, and quality of life among geriatric patients with diabetes based on the 2024 Community Health Survey Data
First
Prev
