Abstract
ObjectivesThe oldest old population has become the fastest growing segment with excess need of care and social support, it is crucial to improve the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of these populations. This study seeks to evaluate the health status and to investigate modifiable factors associated with health-related quality of life for oldest old adults in China.DesignA cross-sectional population-based study.SettingHainan Province in the south of China.Participants1,278 adults aged 80 years or older.MethodsHRQoL was assessed by three-level EuroQol-5D scale (EQ-5D-3L) and a visual analogue scale (VAS). Demographic and health-related variables were analysed by estimating mean values and standard deviations for continuous variables, percentages and standard deviations for categorical variables. Tobit regressions, ordinary least Squared (OLS) regressions and ordered probit regressions were adopted to determine the associated factors for overall HRQoL and for each health dimension.ResultsAnxiety/depression was the least reported problem while mobility was the most frequently reported with problem. Female respondents had lower EQ-5D score (0.76 vs. 0.86) and VAS score (66.55 vs. 69.84) than male respondents. Better health-related quality of life was significantly associated with higher BMI, no drinking habit, more leisure activities, living with family members, good sleeping quality, closer social and family connections, fewer numbers of drugs consumed per day, without having hearing or visual impairment, and fewer chronic conditions, after controlling for potential confounders.ConclusionFindings from this study suggested that quality of life was not only associated with age-related diseases, but also correlated with a range of health-related lifestyles, and factors indicating social and family support.
Highlights
IntroductionThe proportion of oldest old population (aged 80 and older) has increased from 0.95% in 2000 to 1.57% in 2010 according to the Population Census in China [1]
The proportion of oldest old population has increased from 0.95% in 2000 to 1.57% in 2010 according to the Population Census in China [1]
This study seeks to evaluate their health status and to investigate modifiable factors associated with health-related quality of life to initiate appropriate public health policies
Summary
The proportion of oldest old population (aged 80 and older) has increased from 0.95% in 2000 to 1.57% in 2010 according to the Population Census in China [1]. The oldest old population has become the fastest growing segment under the steady economic development and improved health services. Several challenges come with this demographic pattern and need to be addressed to improve the health-related quality of life of the oldest old adults [2]. We used the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) instrument to measure health-related quality of life for the oldest-old adults in China. Few studies have used EQ-5D to investigate the prevalence and determinants of the health-related quality of life for oldest old adults, especially in Asian countries such as China. Studies from other countries indicated that age, gender, education level, comorbidities, living arrangements and social support were important determinants for health among the elderly population [8,9,10,11]
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