Determination of the relationship between perceived social support and quality of life in patients with diabetic foot

Aim: The study was conducted as a descriptive study to determine the relationship between perceived social support and quality of life in patients with diabetic foot disease. Material and Method: The study was conducted between March 2015 and July 2018 at Elazığ University Hospital and Elazığ Training and Research Hospital which are in Elazığ city center with 86 patients who agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using the Socio-Demographic Form, MSPSS and DQOL scales. One-way ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis, Mann Whitney-U, t-test in independent groups and correlation analysis were used in the evaluation of the data. Results: It was found out that the social support of the patients with diabetic foot was above the middle level (58.88 ± 1.89); social support subscale scores averages are: 19.06 ± 0.71 for special human support, 20.22 ± 0.65 for family support and 19.59 ± 0.66 for friend support. It is found out that the quality of life of the patients was above the middle level (150.34 ± 2.93), the average of the quality of life subscale scores; the satisfaction with treatment was 49.62 ± 1.14, the psychological effect of treatment was 62.98 ± 1.64, the anxiety of disease was 12.74 ± 0.33, and the social and occupational anxiety was 24.98 ± 0.69. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between social support total and all subscale scores average, total quality of life and all subscale scores except for the average scores of special human support subscale scores and psychological impact and vocational anxiety subscale scores. Conclusion: It was found that the level of social support and quality of life of the patients were higher than the middle level, and there was a statistically significant relationship between social support and quality of life. In the light of these results, it is recommended to give consideration to the relationship between social support and quality of life, support to the sick by social support resources, and training to improve the quality of life. Key Words: Diabetic Foot, Social Support, Quality of Life