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- Title
Evaluation of a Quality-of-Life Tool for Dogs with Diabetes Mellitus.
- Authors
Niessen, S.J.M.; Powney, S.; Guitian, J.; Niessen, A.P.M.; Pion, P.D.; Shaw, J.A.M.; Church, D.B.
- Abstract
Background Diabetes mellitus ( DM) management primarily focuses on improvement in blood glucose concentrations and clinical signs. A tool to assess the psychological and social impact of DM and its treatment on quality of life ( QoL) previously has only been validated for feline DM. Hypothesis/Objectives To validate a diabetic pet and owner-centered individualized measure of impact of DM ( DIAQoL-pet) for diabetic dogs and their owners. Animals/Subjects A total of 101 owners of insulin-treated diabetic dogs were recruited to complete the DIAQoL-pet. Methods Discussions and pilot surveys with clinicians and owners of diabetic pets led to the design of 29 specific DM-associated QoL questions. Each item was scored according to impact frequency and perceived importance. An Item-Weighted-Impact-Score ( IWIS) for each item was calculated, as was an Average-Weighted-Impact-Score ( AWIS) by averaging all IWISs. Principal component analysis and Cronbach's α calculation assessed the measure's reliability. Results The DIAQoL-pet showed high reliability (Communalities ≥0.5; Cronbach's α 0.85). The AWIS was −2.74 ± 1.7 (mean ± SD). Areas reported as most negatively impacting QoL included: 'worry' ( IWIS ± SD: −5.92 ± 4.3), 'difficulties leaving dog with friends or family' (−5.68 ± 5.1), 'worry vision' (−5.58 ± 4.6), 'boarding difficulties' (−5.18 ± 5.2), 'worry hypoglycemia' (−4.95 ± 4.3), 'social life' (−4.82 ± 4.4), 'costs' (−4.11 ± 4.7), and 'future care'(−4.07 ± 4.6). Eighty-four percent of owners reported negative impact of DM on QoL. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The DIAQoL-pet proved robust when used by owners of insulin-treated diabetic dogs and identified specific areas most negatively impacting dogs' and their owners' QoL. This tool could be used as an additional assessment parameter in clinical and research settings.
- Subjects
DOG diseases; TREATMENT of diabetes; BLOOD sugar; SYMPTOMS; QUALITY of life; VETERINARY endocrinology
- Publication
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2012, Vol 26, Issue 4, p953
- ISSN
0891-6640
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00947.x