|
|
|
|
|
Jie Hu, PhD, RN, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, UNCG PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402, 336-256-1025, j_hu2@uncg.edu
PURPOSE: Chronic illness has substantial impacts on a person's physical, psychological, and social functioning and it is most burdensome for elderly (Ekman, Fageberg, Lundman, 2002). Chronic illness can result in decreased functional status, risky life-style, and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The purpose of this study was to explored the relationships among biological and physiological variable and HRQOL using Wilson and Cleary's (1995) HRQOL model as a conceptual framework.
METHODS: A convenience sample of 155 older adults with chronic illnesses in independent living settings a high rise apartment building were recruited for study. Subjects were aged 60 or older with a documented medical diagnosis of chronic diseases. Instruments used in the study included: a demographic questionnaire, the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, the Symptom Distress Scale (SDS), the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey.
ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics was used to describe demographic variables and examine HRQOL. Multiple regression with forced enter method was used to investigate the relationships among comorbidities, symptom status, functioning, and HRQOL.
RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 77 years (SD=8.6), 74% were female and 26% male, with 40% Caucasian and 60% African-Americans. Chronic illnesses included heart disease (19%), hypertension (31%),diabetes (18%),COPD (7%),and arthritis (25%). Multiple regression demonstrated that comorbidities, symptom status, and functional status significantly predicted the physical component of HRQOL (PCS)(R2adj = .51, p < .001), accounting for 51% of variance in the SF-36 PCS.Symptom status and functional status significantly predicted the mental health component of HRQOL (MCS)(R2adj = .40, p < .001) accounting for 40% of the variance in the SF-36 MCS.
DISCUSSION: The findings of this study indicate that comorbidities, symptom status, and functional status have a substantial impact on HRQOL in older adults with chronic illness. The findings suggest that symptom management and maintenance and improvement of functional capacity are particularly important to older adults with chronic illnesses and should be considered when taking care of the older adults. Future research needs to focus on establishing intervention programs to improve HRQOL in older adults with chronic illnesses in the community.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Quality of Life, Elderly
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.