Abstract
AIM: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health behaviors, wellbeing, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with hepatogenous diabetes (HD), with a focus on exploring the mediating effect of the wellbeing index. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 161 people with HD from January to December 2021 at a Grade III, Class A hospital's Department of Gastroenterology in Guangxi Province. METHODS: Health behaviors were assessed using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-C), HRQoL was measured with the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ), and emotional wellbeing was evaluated using the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index. Correlation analysis and a mediation model were used to explore the relationships between health behaviors, wellbeing, and HRQoL. RESULTS: The results revealed a significant positive correlation between health behaviors and HRQoL (r = 0.385, p < 0.01) as well as between the wellbeing index and HRQoL (r = 0.513, p < 0.01). The wellbeing index partially mediated the relationship between health behaviors and HRQoL, accounting for 44.47% of the total effect. Despite generally favorable health behaviors, people with HD exhibited poor HRQoL (59.03 ± 17.47), with 28.6% experiencing depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Improving psychological wellbeing plays a crucial role in enhancing HRQoL among people with HD. Interventions should target both health behaviors and mental health to foster a more positive psychological state and improve overall patient outcomes.