Quality of life in dementia patients in a developing country: Comparison of three approaches

Abstract

Aging related health problems are increasing in developing country like Nepal. To compare ratings of quality of life in patients with established dementia patients in both subjective and objective view points and between patients’ and relatives’ ratings. Subjective and objective quality of life was assessed in 38 patients with dementia patients using the Quality of Life Interview - Brief Version and WHO Quality of Life - Bref scale. Key family members were also interviewed using the same scales. Subjective and objective quality of life are moderately well correlated (r = 0.43) and similar agreement was found between patients and relatives (r = 0.46). Although quality of life is characteristically measured with subjects, the use of objective measures of quality of life and key informants of patients provide useful proxy measures. Support, care and treatment center should be established in different community to improve the quality of life of patients in developing country like Nepal.