Objectives: To examine the effect of the refugee life and diabetes on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of the diabetic refugees in Gaza Strip.

Design and methods: A cross-sectional 1:1 paired matched case-control design was used. One case (diabetic refugees) and two age- and sex-matched control groups (diabetic non-refugees and non-diabetic refugees) were recruited from three refugee camps and their neighboring cities to complete the WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life - brief form) questionnaire and to conduct the interviews.

Results: Refugees with diabetes had significantly poorer HRQOL than diabetic non-refugees and healthy refugees in the physical, psychological, social and environmental domains. Older age, female sex, longer duration of diabetes and presence of complications were associated with a lower HRQOL of the refugees.