Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Changes in Cognitive and Functional Status and in Quality of Life of Older Outpatients during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Sardella, Alberto; Chiara, Emanuele; Alibrandi, Angela; Bellone, Federica; Catalano, Antonino; Lenzo, Vittorio; Quattropani, Maria C; Basile, Giorgio.
  • Sardella A; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
  • Chiara E; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
  • Alibrandi A; Department of Economics, Unit of Statistical and Mathematical Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
  • Bellone F; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
  • Catalano A; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
  • Lenzo V; Department of Social and Educational Sciences of the Mediterranean Area, University for Foreigners "Dante Alighieri" of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
  • Quattropani MC; Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
  • Basile G; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Gerontology ; 68(11): 1285-1290, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2088997
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Older adults denoted one of the populations that mostly suffered from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The cost of confinement was paid in terms of social isolation, distance from relatives and friends, lack of social support, and limited access to the healthcare system, which had a negative impact on health of older adults with comorbidities and frailty.

OBJECTIVES:

The purpose of the present study was to report the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on cognitive performances, functional status, and health-related quality of life among frail outpatients, compared to pre-pandemic status.

METHOD:

The current sample was part of a larger sample of frail and pre-frail outpatients, who were first evaluated at the clinic between April and May 2019 and who underwent a first follow-up evaluation between April and May 2020. Those outpatients who have undergone the first follow-up evaluation were contacted between April and May 2021 and were asked to voluntarily participate in a second telephone-based evaluation. Cognitive performances (through Mini Mental State Examination - MMSE), functional independency in basic and instrumental daily activities, physical and mental components of health-related quality of life (SF-12 PCS and SF-12 MCS, respectively) were evaluated and compared to previous evaluations.

RESULTS:

Seventy one outpatients (mean age of 80.69 years) completed the present follow-up evaluation. Patients reported significantly lower cognitive performances (mean MMSE 19.37; p < 0.001), lower physical quality of life (mean score 31.69; p < 0.001), and lower mental quality of life (mean score 38.79; p < 0.001) compared to both pre-pandemic baseline and the first follow-up. Moreover, patients showed a significantly reduced independency in basic daily activities (mean score 3.8; p = 0.004), and a significantly reduced independency in managing telephone (p = 0.012) and medications (p = 0.035), compared to baseline.

CONCLUSIONS:

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a prolonged stressor over time, which has markedly affected health-related quality of life of outpatients, and it can be considered a stressor that might have contributed to the patients' greater cognitive and functional vulnerability.
Subject(s)
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Quality of Life / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Aged / Humans Language: English Journal: Gerontology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 000525041

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Quality of Life / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Aged / Humans Language: English Journal: Gerontology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 000525041