Predicting Factors for Health related Quality of Life among Older Adults at Senior Centers in Korea

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose was to identify factors affecting health related quality of life among older adults in Korea. Methods: Participants were 334 people, 60 or over, and registered at senior centers. Health related quality of life was measured using EuroQol 5-Dimension Questionnaire (EQ-5D). Results: Order of frequency for EQ-5D was pain/discomfort, mobility, anxiety/depression, usual activity, and self-care. Of the participants, 27.5% reported no problem in any of the dimensions of EQ-5D. Mean score for the EQ-5D was 0.82±0.14, and EQ-VAS (Visual Analog Scale), 60.26±22.28. Socio-demographic factors (age, gender, education, spouse) and health factors (self-rated health status, symptom experience, IADL, depression, waist circumference, and regular exercise) explained 43% of variance in health related quality of life using EQ-5D, whereas they explained 34% variance in health related quality of life using EQ-VAS. Symptom experience was the most significant factor affecting health related quality of life according to EQ-5D, and depression, for health related quality of life according to EQ-VAS. Conclusion: Finding indicate that to increase elders' health related quality of life as measured by the EQ-5D, staff at senior centers should pay attention to older adults when they have more experiences of symptoms and when they are depressed.