Analysis of the quality of life in elderly patients with chronic diseases living at home and its influencing factors / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the quality of life (QOL) in elderly patients with chronic diseases living at home and its influencing factors.Methods 1856 elderly patients with chronic diseases living at home were selected by random cluster sampling from two communities.All patients were investigated by SF-36 questionnaire and self-made questionnaire.Results The average QOL scores were (63.8±15.1) in elderly patients with chronic diseases living at home.Scores of SF-36's eight dimensions were respectively (67.8± 22.6) in physiological function,(47.3± 39.4) in role physical,(90.2±14.3) in bodily pain,(52.3±11.9) in general health,(64.1 ± 17.1) in vitality,(74.0 ± 20.9) in social function,(49.7 ± 39.5) in emotional function,(65.0 ± 16.9) in mental health.Scores of SF-36 in each dimension were lower in patients aged 75 years and above than in patients aged 60-74 years (all P＜0.05).Scores of SF-36's dimensions including physical function,bodily pain,vitality,social function and mental health in patients aged 75 years and above were lower in males than females (all P＜0.05).Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the major influencing factors for the QOL in elderly patients with chronic diseases living at home were movement,hobbies,age,caregivcr,family support,number of chronic diseases,education status,and alcohol consumption (all P＜0.05).Conclusions The major influencing factors for quality of life in elderly patients with chronic diseases living at home are included demographic,behavior and family factors,etc.Comprehensive community interventions should be taken to improve the quality of life in this elderly population.