Objective To understand the situation and the influencing factors of life quality in diabetic patients in Shanghai， and to develop effective intervention measures. Methods A total of 212 diabetic patients in Baoshan District， Shanghai were selected as the research objects. Diabetes specific quality of life scale （DSQL） was used to investigate the basic situation and quality of life of patients. Combined with biochemical detection indexes and questionnaire survey， data were analyzed by variance analysis and multiple linear stepwise regression analysis. Blood glucose level was assessed according to the 1999 WHO diagnostic criteria for type 2 diabetes. Results The overall quality of life score in the patients was 4.31±7.82， which was higher than the domestic norm. The best quality of life was in the dimension of physiological function with the score of 1.84±6.00， which was lower than the domestic norm. The next was the dimension of social relationship， and the worst was the dimension of treatment. The single factor analysis and multivariate analysis identified the following influence factors of quality of life in the patients： family history， educational level， exercise habit， blood glucose control and diet control. There was a negative correlation with educational level and blood glucose control， and a positive correlation with diet control. Conclusion The quality of life in the middle-aged diabetic patients was affected by the education level， blood glucose control and diet control. We suggest to strengthen the community management， health education， and improve the living habits.