Independent associations of mental health and diabetes complications with health‐related quality of life: Evidence from a cross‐sectional study
Authors' conclusion
Both diabetes complications and mental health determine HRQoL in people with diabetes. Depression emerged as the strongest independent predictor reducing HRQoL by up to 21%. This underscores the importance of mental health for HRQoL. This findings highlight the relevance of integrating mental health assessment into diabetes management.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with diabetes in Germany (September 2024–February 2025); mean age 56 ± 14 years; 73% type Iof 1581 invitees
- Participants
- 734 adults
- Outcome
- HRQoL assessed by EQ-5D-5L utilities
Methodological detailsonline survey, Tobit regression, blockwise multivariable models
- Online survey
- Tobit regression
- Blockwise multivariable models
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Factors independently associated with lower EQ-5D utilities (multivariable)
- Female sex, β
- −0.045
- Higher body mass index (BMI), β
- −0.029
- Diabetic foot syndrome, β
- −0.078
- Neuropathy, β
- −0.123
- Elevated depressive symptoms, β
- −0.212
- Diabetes distress, β
- −0.069
- Fear of hypoglycaemia, β
- −0.085
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Explained variance by domain
- Mental-health variables
- ≈22%
- Diabetes-related complications
- ≈20%
Mental health factors (depression, diabetes distress, fear of hypoglycaemia) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL)
- Highly significant associations with reduced HRQoL, by up to
- 27%
Original publication
Independent associations of mental health and diabetes complications with health‐related quality of life: Evidence from a cross‐sectional study. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 7 January 2026. doi:10.
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