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Health-related quality of life in South Asian adults with type 2 diabetes - a systematic review and meta-analysis
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  • Published: 19 February 2026

Health-related quality of life in South Asian adults with type 2 diabetes - a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Hariharan Murugadoss1,
  • Harshavardhan K1 na1,
  • Sananthya K2 na1,
  • Priyankaa V1 &
  • …
  • Madhumitha Haridoss2 

Scientific Reports , Article number:  (2026) Cite this article

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We are providing an unedited version of this manuscript to give early access to its findings. Before final publication, the manuscript will undergo further editing. Please note there may be errors present which affect the content, and all legal disclaimers apply.

Subjects

  • Diseases
  • Endocrinology
  • Health care
  • Medical research

Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized evidence on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), estimated using the EuroQol EQ-5D instrument, among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications in South Asian countries. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed-Medline, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL) and Google scholar for studies reporting EQ-5D utility and VAS scores among individual with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in South Asian countries. Eligible studies underwent a comprehensive systematic review and quality assessment using established appraisal tools. Mean EQ-5D scores were pooled in meta-analysis employing a random-effects DerSimonian–Laird model, and subgroup analyses were performed to explore sources of heterogeneity among the included studies. Meta-Regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the associations of age and disease duration with EQ-5D utility scores. The reviews protocol was registered in PROSPERO to ensure methodological transparency and reduce the risk of bias. A total of 22 studies conducted in individual with T2DM from South Asia were included. The pooled mean EQ-5D utility score was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.65–0.85) and mean Eq. 5D VAS score was 65.17 (95% CI: 57.81–72.54), indicating moderate HRQoL. individuals with T2DM complications had significantly lower scores utility score of 0.58 than compared to 0.81 among those without complications. Pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression were the most frequently reported domain with problems (58% and 53% respectively). Subgroup analyses revealed lower HRQoL for females, those with longer diabetes duration, with no comorbidities and in certain countries. Pooled utility values for T2DM individuals provide valuable insights into their HRQoL and are essential for informing health economics research. The observed associations between age, disease duration, and utility scores underscore the dynamic challenges of HRQoL over time, emphasizing the importance of tailored, long-term management strategies for diabetes care.

Data availability

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary materials.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the SARANSH-2 (SystemAtic Reviews and Networking Support in Health) Workshop, organized by the Division of Medical Research, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, and supported by the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The hands-on training and guidance provided through the SARANSH initiative were instrumental in the successful completion of this work. The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support by SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRMIST, Kattankulathur for bearing the defrayed costs of publishing this article

Funding

Open access funding provided by SRM Institute of Science and Technology for SRMIST – Medical & Health Sciences.

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally to this work: Harshavardhan K and Sananthya K

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy practice, SRM College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamilnadu, India

    Hariharan Murugadoss, Harshavardhan K & Priyankaa V

  2. Division of Medical Research, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamilnadu, India

    Sananthya K & Madhumitha Haridoss

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Contributions

Hariharan Murugadoss (MH): Conceptualization, Data curation, Methodology, Original draft Review & editing. Harshavardhan K (HR): Data curation, Review & editing. Sananthya K (SK): Data curation, Review & editing.Priyankaa V (VP): Data curation, Review & editing. Madhumitha Haridoss (HM): Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Methodology, Software, Review & editing.

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Correspondence to Madhumitha Haridoss.

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Murugadoss, H., K, H., K, S. et al. Health-related quality of life in South Asian adults with type 2 diabetes - a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-39476-6

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  • Received: 12 September 2025

  • Accepted: 05 February 2026

  • Published: 19 February 2026

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-39476-6

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Keywords

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Health-related quality of life
  • EQ-5D
  • South asia
  • Meta-Analysis
  • Meta-Regression
  • T2DM complications
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