Introduction:

The quality of life related to health is a variable that has become a reason for study in different health problems with high prevalence for more than three decades, as in the case of diabetes.

Objective:

To determine the quality of life related to the health of users with Diabetes Mellitus from a Family Health Care Center (CESFAM) in the district of Copiapó in Chile, using SF-12.

Material and Methods:

Cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample consisted of 269 users. An instrument was used in order to measure the proposed variables, where the SF-12 was the questionnaire that allowed to evaluate the quality of life.

Results:

Physical health averages 37.8 points, whereas mental health averages 34.1 points. All dimensions of the SF-12 are below the average of 50 points on a scale of 0-100. In the domain of physical function, men perceive a better quality of life with regard to the one reported by women.

Conclusions:

Diabetes affects the quality of life, and imposes a great burden on the individual who lives with it. The dimension best perceived by diabetic users in the health care center studied is vitality, whereas the emotional role and the physical role are the dimensions of the quality of life that are worse perceived.

        · resumo em Espanhol     · texto em Espanhol     · Espanhol ( pdf )