1Major in Clinical Nursing, The Graduate School of Clinical Health Sciences, Ewha Womans University 2Division of Nursing Science, College of Health Sciences, Ewha Womans University
Abstract
Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between HbA1C, self-care behavior, and quality of life among depressed and non-depressed patients with type II diabetes Methods: Data were collected between May 26 and July 5, 2011 using a questionnaire. The questionnaire included depression (CES-D), self-care behavior and quality of life. Hemoglobin A1C was ed from medical records. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, $x^2$-test, ANCOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: In this study sample (n=301), 20.9% of diabetic patients (n=69) were depressed. After adjustment for relevant covariates, depressed patients showed to have lower self-care behavior (2.8 vs 3.4, p<.001) and quality of life (2.8 vs 3.5, p<.001) scores, but the difference in HbA1C was no longer significant. Conclusion: This study suggests that the assessment and intervention for depressed diabetic patients can result in effective self-care behavior, which accordingly leads to improvement of the quality of life.