Table 7.

Bivariate analysis using QOL, assessed using the DLQI as a continuous outcome variable (N=251)

Variables	DLQI, mean ± SD	β (95% CI)	p-Valuea
Sex
Male	12.4 ± 5.3	1.24 (−0.02 to 2.49)	0.05
Female (reference)	11.2 ± 4.8	1.0
Age (continuous)	11.8 ± 5.1	−0.006 (−0.05 to 0.04)	0.76
Education
Illiterate	11.3 ± 4.9	−1.17 (−2.47 to 0.12)	0.08
Literate (reference)	12.5 ± 5.4	1.0
Marital status
Currently married	11.8 ± 5.2	0.06 (−1.29 to 1.41)	0.93
Currently not married (reference)	11.7 ± 4.8	1.0
Employment
Employedb	11.9 ± 5.1	0.82 (−0.72 to 2.37)	0.24
Not employed (reference)	11.1 ± 5.0	1.0
Relative income
Very low and low (reference)	11.8 ± 4.9	1.0
Middle and high	11.6 ± 5.3	−0.22 (−1.50 to 1.06)	0.74
Acute attack frequency (N=235)
Every week/2 weeks/month (reference)	11.8 ± 5.1	1.0
≥3 months	11.8 ± 4.9	−0.02 (−1.45 to 1.42)	0.98
Acute attack (continuous)	11.8 ± 5.1	0.07 (−0.19 to 0.31)	0.61
Have you ever received treatment for your leg lymphoedema?
No (reference)	11.9 ± 5.0	1.0
Yes	11.0 ± 5.4	−0.94 (−2.68 to 0.80)	0.29
Are you currently receiving treatment for, or self-treating your leg(s)?
No (reference)	12.0 ± 5.1	1.0
Yes	9.2 ± 4.2	−2.74 (−4.99 to −0.48)	0.02
Hazardous drinking habit (FAST)
No (reference)	11.3 ± 5.2	1.0
Yes	12.5 ± 4.8	1.21(−0.09 to 2.51)	0.07
Social support (based on Oslo-3)
Poor (reference)	12.4 ± 4.7	1.0
Moderate	10.5 ± 5.2	−1.93 (−3.35 to −0.52)	0.008
Strong	10.7 ± 7.2	−1.67 (−4.13 to 0.78)	0.18
Disability assessment based on WHODAS (continuous)	11.8 ± 5.1	−0.06 (−0.13 to 0.01)	0.11
PHQ-9 (continuous)	11.8 ± 5.1	−0.04 (−0.16 to 0.08)	0.52

^aLinear regression was used to examine the association between explanatory variables and quality of life measured by DLQI. Explanatory variables with an association of p<0.2 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariate linear regression model.

^bSalaried, self-employed and farming.