Lifestyle and quality of life in patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes

Estilo de vida y calidad de vida en pacientes con sindrome metabólico y diabetes tipo 2

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Metabolic Syndrome can be define as a cluster of conditions associated with abdominal obesity, changes in the concentration of cholesterol and high density lipoproteins (HDL-C), high triglycerides, hyperglycemia, and increased blood pressure, which makes it an indicator of mortality, since the impact of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2)^1,2 is greater.

In order to diagnose MS, a patient must meet three of the five criteria established and modified by the International Diabetes Federation: triglyceride levels higher than 150 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol level lower than 40 mg/dl in men, and 50 mg/dl in women, blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg, fasting blood sugar levels of 100 mg-7dl. For those patients already in treatment for these conditions, another criterion is waist circumference, which is specific for each population³.

Excess weight and central obesity are thought to be the main risk factors for MS; those conditions have been associated with changes in lifestyle, namely a diet rich in carbohydrates and fats, a lack of leisure-time physical activity, and cigarette and alcohol use⁴. Hormonal changes are another factor associated with this issue, since they contribute to increase adipose tissue, hyperglycemia, and dyspledimia. Women can experience these issues during menopause¹.The connection between MS and DM2 can be explained from a physiological perspective: body tissues are resistant to insulin-mediated glucose uptake. Because of this alteration, blood glucose levels increase along with hyperinsulenimia³.

MS increases the risk of cardiovascular disease up to two times, and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus up to five times⁵. Diabetes has had a great impact on global health; nearly 422 million adults suffered from this disease in 2014, and the number has risen every year. In Colombia, there is a prevalence of 8.3%, in addition to fifteen thousand deaths related to DM2 between 2013 and 2014⁶. Between 2008 and 2012, non-communicable diseases have caused more than 727,146 deaths; the global mortality rate for cardiovascular diseases was 129.9 for every 100,000 people⁷. It is worth mentioning that three-fourths of the deaths from cardiovascular disease occur in countries of small and medium resources⁸.

Another important issue when discussing MS is central or abdominal adiposity, which is a key factor in glucose intolerance, hypertension, and dysplidemia⁹. In regards to obesity, it has been associated with sleep disorders, non-alcohol-related liver disease, negative mood swings, and colon and rectum cancer¹⁰. Furthermore, it is important to mention that around 650 million adults are obese11 worldwide. These numbers have an impact on the healthcare system, given the elevated costs of treatment, and the poor quality of life and life expectancy of those suffering from this disease⁸.

Changes in lifestyle are essential for preventing and treating these diseases³. Increased physical activity is also important, since it contributes to glycemic control, lipid profile, visceral adipose tissue, among other issues associated with the syndrome¹². Changes in diet also result in improvements in blood pressure, sensitivity to insulin, lipid profile, lipoprotein levels, inflammation, oxidative stress, and carotid atherosclerosis¹².

As indicated by the foregoing, is it is necessary to develop research on the fact that lifestyle changes are the most effective way of controlling and preventing these diseases. The reason for this being the impact of this health issue in the patients’ quality of life, which is the “property individuals have that allows them to experience the situations and conditions of their environment, depending on the interpretations and evaluations they make on the objective aspects of their environment"¹³. The aim of this study was to determine the lifestyle and quality of life of patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in the city of Popayán.

In regards to the sociodemographic characteristics of MS and DM2 patients, women predominated by 81.5% (n=66), 67 years old on average, the minimum age was 42 years, and the maximum age was 92 years, DS±10.657. A total of 51.9% (n=42) of the population is married, 48.1% (n=39) work as homemakers, with 61.7% (n=50) coming from urban areas; 46.9% (n=38) of socioeconomic stratum 3. The diagnosis time for DM2 was one year, as a minimum, and 50 years maximum, 11 years on average, and DS±8,930. Treatment time was 10 years on average DS±8,459 (Table 1).

Regarding clinical characteristics, the results showed that 33.3% of the population (n=27) have low levels of C-LDL, 53.1% (n=43) of the population have low levels of C-HDL, 38.3% (n=31) have slightly high triglyceride levels, and 54.3% (n=44) have ideal cholesterol levels. Fasting blood sugar levels of 65.4% (n=53) of the population result in hyperglycemia, and, lastly, 51.9% (n=42) optimal levels of blood pressure (Table 1).

Table 1
Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients.

The following anthropometric characteristics were identified: in regards to the BMI, 55.6% (n=45) of the population were overweight, and, in regards to the BD, 81.5% (n=66) were obese. Regarding the waist-hip ratio WHR, the results showed that 88.9% (n=72) are at risk of comorbidity (Table 2).

Table 2
Anthropometric characteristics of the patients.

Applying the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire made it possible to obtain the following results regarding quality of life. Patients with no mobility issues prevailed, representing a 67.1% (n=67) of the total; 82.7% (n=67) have no issues with personal care; 71.6% (n=58) have no issues with daily activities; 56.8% (n=46) have moderate pain or discomfort, and 64.2% (n=53) do not suffer from anxiety or depression (Table 3). According to the IMEVID questionnaire, which evaluates the lifestyle of patients, 62.7% (n=50) of the population have a moderate quality of life (Table 4).

Statistical significance was found between sociodemographic variables such as: age and mobility (p=0.001) with a directly proportional association (using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient); gender and personal care (p=0,001) (using Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance); and socioeconomic stratum and body mass index (p=0.006), BMI (p=0.005), with an inversely proportional relationship (Table 5).

Regarding clinical and anthropometric variables, statistical significance was found between the variables of the first domain of quality of life (mobility) and age (p=0,001). Between the fourth domain (pain) and C-LDL (p=0.034), anthropometric variables such as BMI and WHR with stratum (p=0.006 and 0.005 respectively), as well as fasting blood sugar (p=0.021) and TG with body density (p=0.018). Nevertheless, the values of all these variables are far from 1 in the correlation test, which means there is a weak strength of association (Table 5).

Table 3
Quality of life in patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Table 4
Lifestyle of patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Table 5
Relation between quality of life and lifestyle and sociodemographic, clinical, and anthropomorphic caracteristics, as well as between anthropomorphic characteristics and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

a. Mobility; b. Personal care; c. Daily activities; d. Pain/discomfort; e. Anxiety/depression; f. Body Mass Index; g. Waist-Hip Ratio; h. Body Density. Source: Developed by author

An analysis of odds ratio (OR) and a chi-squared test showed that the male gender is a protective factor for WHR with a risk of cardiovascular disease comorbidity (p=0.000, OR=0.071; IC95%=0.015-0.337). Nevertheless, it is 7.375 times greater risk factor to the domain “care with problems” (p=0.001; OR=7.375; IC95%= 2.047-26.571). High cholesterol is a risk factor for anxiety (p=0.027; OR=2.842; IC95%=1.112-7.267), and being single is a risk factor for low HDL (p=0.042; OR=2.571; IC95%=1.023-6.462) (Table 6.)

Table 6
Risk analysis of sociodemographic, clinical and quality of life characteristics.

WHR= Waist-Hip Ratio, p≤ 0.005.

Lifestyle changes have resulted in an unbalanced diet, increasingly sedentary behavior, and alcohol and tobacco use. These factors are associated with obesity and the increase in cases of metabolic syndrome; they are the most important risk factor for the development of DM2²².

Regarding the sociodemographic characteristics of the study, the average age was 66.63 years. López, Cifuentes and Sánchez obtained similar results in the city of Cali in 2013, with an average age of 64.4 years. This means that the condition can be associated with aging and bad habits in people older than 40 years of age²³. Most DM2 and MS patients were women, a result that was similar in the MS research we performed in elderly patients in the city of Medellin, in which 73.8% of patients were women. This can be due to a greater predisposition in women to metabolic and hormonal changes after menopause..

Two prevalent factors were being a homemaker as occupation, and being married as marital status. Considering these two elements is important because marital status affects elderly patients. Living with a non-communicable disease can be easier when patients can rely on a partner, who can also help them to prevent the complications of DM2^24,25. The average socioeconomic status found in this study differs from several other research, which found that the prevalence of DM2 is associated with lower social status. Diet, health, overweight, and obesity are also associated with a person’s socioeconomic status^23,25,26.

In regards to the clinical variables, patients had low cholesterol LDL and HDL levels, hyperglycemia, normal blood pressure, slightly high triglycerides, and a desirable level of cholesterol. This information and these variables were necessary to diagnose MS²⁷. Hyperglycemia has proven to be one of the three main components of MS²⁸. The prevalence of dyspledimia is considered to be a risk factor for coronary disease; its effects depend on the age of the patient. The younger the patient, the lesser the impact on their health⁸. It is also worth mentioning that taking medication to treat dyspledimia is not an effective way of controlling the disease²⁹.

Overall, patients had normal blood pressure levels, although it is important to say that cases of hypertension depend on tobacco use, obesity and ethnicity. Physical exercise seems to be the most efficient way of controlling this variable, since it contributes to improve clinical values such as glycemia, blood pressure, lipids, glycated hemoglobin, and high density lipoproteins²⁹.

With reference to BMI, most participants were overweight or obese; which matches the findings of Domínguez et al. in a 2017 study: in a Mexican population, abdominal obesity was the most prevalent factor, although body mass index (BMI) makes it impossible to differentiate body fat from fat free mass²⁷. This rise in obesity can be attributed to globalization, since it causes demographic, social, economic, and technological changes that affect people’s consumption of sugar, fats, low fiber foods, and polyunsaturated fatty acids¹¹. Additionally, controlling this disease requires quantitative and qualitative modifications in diet and regular physical activity. If a patient loses 5 to 10 percent of his or her body weight, blood pressure decreases, as well as the pharmacological measures required to treat diabetes and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)¹⁰.

Regarding lifestyle, the patients’ behavior was not healthy; this information is very similar to the one reported in other studies, according to which patients with type 2 diabetes had that same kind of lifestyle^31,32. It is important to mention that preventing and treating MS and DM2 depends on lifestyle changes; several research associate a decrease of risk factors and long-term complications of these diseases with diet and increased physical activity^2,10,17,33.

In order to increase physical exercise it is recommended to do activities of moderate to high intensity for 30 minutes a day, several times a week, with a weekly goal of 150 minutes. In general, these recommendations contribute to reduce and control glycemia and blood pressure in patients with non-communicable diseases³⁴. Other research show that following these indications is not enough, since exercise plans should be customized to the patients preferences and abilities¹⁰. Córdoba et al. agree with this conclusion, and suggest making lifestyle changes according to people’s personal abilities, motivation, and opportunities. Healthy behavior depends on individual needs and a person’s openness to change³⁵.

Quality of life in terms of health means determining the impact diseases and treatment have on people physically, psychologically, and spiritually. This depends on people’s perception of their own abilities^23,36. Results showed that the patients of the city of Popayán did not have problems with mobility, personal care, or daily activities, and did not suffer from anxiety or depression. They did have moderate pain or discomfort, which is similar to what the 2013 study performed in the city of Cali showed. The study evaluated the quality of life of DM2 patients; none of them had problems with personal care, daily activities, or mobility, but they did report suffering from anxiety/depression and pain/discomfort²³. Pain has a serious effect on DM2 patient’s quality of life. It worsens their health, and causes them to become more dependent and less social, which is why they can suffer from depression and have difficulty treating chronic diseases³⁷. Obesity also has mental and physical consequences; people who suffer from it have a lower quality of life³⁸.

Regarding the relation between age and mobility, personal care and pain/discomfort, results show that age contributes to problems associated with quality of life and personal fulfillment. For that reason, health education programs for the elderly must contribute to improve physical health and a feeling of well-being, to create prevention mechanisms against the changes that come with aging and non-communicable diseases³⁹. In addition, it has been reported that people are not as physically active as they age, which is why some of these diseases develop. Physical activity prevents MS and its components⁴⁰.

In reference to anthropomorphic characteristics, this study makes it possible to understand the connection between DM2 and MS, based on the presence of adiposity in the abdominal area. It is important to consider that skin fold measurements are taken to determine fat percentage. Even though it is a standardized, valid measure, it has not been considered in previous studies with DM2 and MS patients. It is worth mentioning that BMI measures are not as precise as skin fold measurements; which is why using them should be considered in future studies²⁷.

Furthermore, an increased prevalence of those pathologies (DM2 and MS) is closely associated with lifestyle. Sedentary behavior and an unhealthy diet are the most frequent risk factors, as are genetic predisposition, body composition, and aging. Health education programs can contribute to people adopting healthy habits in order to prevent those diseases and their complications. It is worth mentioning that it is necessary to continue this kind of research, so that there are improvements in people’s health and new treatment possibilities; one of them being physiotherapy as an integral part of primary public health care.

In conclusion, the study showed that patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus had an unhealthy lifestyle, which does not contribute to the control and treatment of these two diseases. Adopting healthy habits such as increased physical activity, healthy diet, among others, is key to mitigate the impact on people’s health. The main domains that affect the quality of life of the patients of the city of Popayán are anxiety/depression and pain/discomfort. This is detrimental to the patients’ perception of their physical, psychological, spiritual, and social development.