The effect of diabetic peripheral neuropathy on quality of life among persons attending podiatry clinics in Ekurhuleni

Abstract

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is associated with the damage or impairment of peripheral nerve fibres in people with diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of diabetic peripheral neuropathy on the quality of life of persons diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy attending podiatry clinics in Ekurhuleni District. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational design was used. Data was collected telephonically using structured interviews with 84 respondents attending three public podiatry clinics. The study determined the diabetic peripheral neuropathy symptoms that mostly affected the quality of life. The results revealed that the physical domain of quality of life was predicted by the large fibre symptoms (β = -1.291; p = 0.001; N = 84) and the autonomic symptoms (β = -.733; p = 0.032; N = 84), whereas the psychological domain was predicted by the large fibre symptoms (β = -1.62; p = 0.000; N = 84). The social domain of quality of life was predicted by