Geriatric Depression Scale - 30 assessments: face-to-face or telephone interviews for older people - a randomized crossover study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The Geriatric Depression Scale - 30 (GDS-30) for detecting depressive disorders provides an objective and reliable outcome measure validated by many studies and scientific articles. The aim of the study was to compare the concordance of measurements using the GDS-30 conducted in face-to-face and telephone interviews. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study design was approved by the Bioethical Committee of the University of Rzeszów (Resolution No. 2022/075). Study participants were community-dwelling older people in south-eastern Poland, aged 60 years and over, with a normal cognitive status. They were divided into 2 groups, each examined with the Geriatric Depression Scale - 30 questionnaire. The first group (G1) was examined first by means of direct contact (A), and the second group (G2) by telephone (B). After an average period of 2 weeks, the study was repeated, this time swapping the method of contact: in G1 telephone contact (B) was used, in G2 face-to-face contact (A). RESULTS: The study involved a group of 225 people (128 women and 97 men), mean aged 68.2 years, randomly divided into the 2 groups (G1 and G2). Cohen's kappa coefficient analysis showed good (14 questions) to very good (16 questions) concordance for individual responses to questions. Analysis of Krippendorf's alpha coefficient values showed very good concordance for results on the whole questionnaire. Good concordance of the means of measurement was also confirmed by the Bland and Altman method, where more than 95% of the sample was within the 95% concordance limits. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Findings of the study showed that the GDS-30 questionnaire had a high compliance in both face-to-face and telephone surveys.

Establishing score equivalence of the GDS-30 scale and International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health range, using Rasch analysis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Depression is a common problem among older adults. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS- 30) is a recommended tool for assessing the emotional state of the elderly. To-date, there are no data in literature on the description of GDS-30, according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The aim of the study is to transform the data obtained using the GDS-30 scale into the common scale of the ICF by applying the Rasch measurement theory. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted based on the results of 775 measurements made on people aged 65 and over. The Rasch model with the unconstrained Rasch parameter was used for the study. RESULTS: The GDS-30 scale was transformed into the ICF scale, where 0 points on the ICF scale were assigned to 0 points on the GDS-30 scale, 1 on the ICF scale - 1-4 points on the GDS-30 scale, 2 on the ICF scale - 5-7 on the GDS-30, 3 on the ICF scale, and 8-19 points on the GDS-30, whereas 4 on the ICF scale, 20-30 points on the GDS-30. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the results showed that the GDS-30 scale can be reliably transferred to the universal ICF scale for the b152 Emotional functions code. The ability to transfer the results into the universal language of the ICF category provides a coding system for more efficient information management in health systems, allows for data aggregation, and offers the possibility to compare them. It is also invaluable for clinical practice and research, including creating meta-analyses.

Factors associated with disability and quality of life among the oldest-old living in community in Poland - a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: In Poland, the number of the oldest-old people is increasing. The prevalence of health problems increases with age, which expands the cost of medical and social care. Therefore, there is a need to assess factors affecting the level of disability and quality of life in order to modify them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in a group of 498 people aged 80 and over who live in community in south-eastern Poland. The researchers collected socio-demographic and health data, the WHODAS 2.0 questionnaire was used to assess disability and functioning. Quality of life was studied using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. RESULTS: The general average level of disability was 37.41, with women having a higher level of general disability than men (38.94 vs. 33.94). The highest levels of disability occurred in areas such as mobility, life activity and participation. Statistically, a significantly higher level of disability develops in women who are older, with lower education, social involvement, not able to get help from other people and having more chronic diseases. In men, disability increased with age and greater number of chronic illnesses. The general quality of life of the study group was average (62.53) and comparable for both genders. The lowest quality of life was found in the domain of physical health. A significantly lower quality of life appeared in lonely people, with more chronic diseases, lower education, physical and social inactivity, as well as a lack of help from other people and non-adjustment to the environment. CONCLUSIONS: Factors affecting the disability and quality of life of the oldest-old people should be considered in developing senior health policy in Poland.

Effect of body weight on disability and chronic disease rates in the elderly in south-eastern Poland.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The rapid aging of the human population is an increasing challenge to public health. Effective strategies are required to prevent disability and dependency of the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of body weight on the prevalence of disability and chronic diseases among 60-80-year-old people living in south-eastern Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 1,800 randomly selected people aged 60-80 years living in the Podkarpackie region of south-eastern Poland. Respondents, holders of a - personal identification number (PESEL), were randomly drawn by the Ministry of Interior and Administration (MSWiA) in Poland. The study was conducted in the form of a face-to-face interview at the respondent's residence. The WHODAS 2.0 questionnaire was used to assess disability and functioning. Socio-demographic data were also collected, and the body weight measured in 5% of the respondents after completion of the study. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 10. RESULTS: Respondents with Body Mass Index (BMI) < 18.5 and BMI ≥ 35.0 had significantly higher disability levels than those in the normal weight and overweight categories. The greatest limitations were found in participating in everyday life, household activities, getting along and mobility. There was also a statistically significant relationship between BMI and the number of chronic diseases (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: When planning a healthcare strategy for people aged 60 -80 living in Poland, additional support should be provided to those at risk in the categories of underweight and obesity. The obtained findings indicate that the health behaviour of seniors should be assessed - especially regarding their diet and eating habits, physical activity, and participation in social life - in order to tailor prevention programmes specifically to their needs.

Quality of life and related factors among older people living in rural areas in south-eastern Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Quality of life (QOL) is an important aspect of life, reflecting health and conditioning the well-being of older adults. Maintaining the QOL is essential in times of demographic changes which resulting longer life spans, and consequently an increased proportion of older adults in society. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life and its basic determining factors in the elderly living in rural areas of south-eastern Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 973 respondents aged 60-80 years living in rural areas of south-eastern Poland (Podkarpackie Region). The research tool used in the study was the WHOQOL-Bref and a questionnaire on personal characteristics and health. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica version 10. RESULTS: All quality of life domains assessed were above the median values of the scale. The highest values were found in the social domain (67.35 ± 17.31) and the lowest values in the physical domain (58.74 ± 14.80). All the quality of life values decreased with an increase in age and increase in number of chronic diseases in a given person. A higher quality of life was found in subjects who were physically and socially active. CONCLUSIONS: The study stresses the impact of modifiable determiners of QOL. Interventions aimed at improving the quality of life of older adults should involve interdisciplinary monitoring of health, early treatment of diagnosed problems, and promotion of physical activity and daily life activities.

An assessment of factors related to disability in ADL and IADL in elderly inhabitants of rural areas of south-eastern Poland.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Demographic changes in Europe have resulted in anincreased demand for healthcare and social care for the elderly. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors related to disability in ADL and IADL among elderly inhabitants of rural areas of southeastern Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 426 subjects aged 71-80 years. To assess their activities of daily living, the Katz ADL Scale was used, and the Lawton IADL Scale was used to assess their instrumental activities in daily living. RESULTS: The subjects reported at least one problem with IADL (43.19%) more often than with ADL (36.85%). The strongest factors related to difficulties with ADL were assessment of satisfaction with life, using assistive devices, and having one's home suitably adapted. The strongest factors related to IADL were the assessment of satisfaction with life, education, using assistive devices and performing moderate physical exercise at a minimum of 150 minutes per week. CONCLUSIONS: Age, education, pain, falls, household not fully adapted for one's needs, using assistive devices, lack of satisfaction with life, and low assessment of quality of life had a significant impact on the prevalence of ADL and/or IADL disabilities in the elderly inhabitants of rural areas. Most of these factors can be subject to modification. They are also a complex of predictors that allow for identifying and supporting those elderly patients from rural areas who are the most vulnerable.