OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus is a public health problem and its influence is recognized in the quality of life of patients. According to WHO, only 50% of people have adherence to treatment of chronic diseases. This study evaluated and compared the results of the scales measuring quality of life and adherence to treatment in two groups of patients with diabetes and treatment with conventional or analogue insulins METHODS: Cross-sectional study in two groups of patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 1 or type 2, in medical treatment with conventional  or analogues insulines, for at least six months in two cities in Colombia. The sample was calculated with a ratio of 0.5-Control Group, with estimated RR of 0.75 and allocation rate between groups of 0.5. Each patient responded two scales measuring quality of life (EQ-5D and Diabetes-39) and two scales measuring adherence (Morisky Green and Medication Possession Ratio) and comparison was made between the results obtained. RESULTS: