Quality Of Life In Elderly People Research Articles

CAPACIDADE FUNCIONAL E QUALIDADE DE VIDA EM IDOSOS COM OSTEOARTROSE NO MUNICÍPIO DE COARI - AM

Introdução: A osteoartrite (OA) é uma doença crônico-degenerativa reumática com elevada prevalência entre idosos que gera incapacidade funcional e elevado impacto sobre a qualidade de vida do portador. Entretanto, diferenças regionais relacionadas aos hábitos de vida podem influenciar estes aspectos. Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida (QV) e a capacidade funcional (CF) de idosos com osteoartrose, na cidade de Coari, Amazonas. Metodologia: Foram utilizados dois questionários para a mensuração da CF e QV, o índice de Katz e o SF- 36 respectivamente. O coeficiente linear de Pearson foi adotado com medida de intensidade de associação entre as variáveis quantitativas. Resultados: Participaram da pesquisa 25 idosos com 60 anos, ou mais, que apresentavam o diagnóstico da doença, encaminhados pelo Hospital Regional de Coari. A média de idade dos idosos foi de 68,8 ± 8,35 anos. O tempo médio de diagnóstico foi de 5,5 anos. O índice de Katz mostrou que 72% dos idosos entrevistados eram totalmente independentes para as atividades básicas da vida diária. Foi identificado pior QV principalmente nos aspectos físicos (AF), acredita-se que a dor, a rigidez e a função articular comprometidas pela osteoartrose, provavelmente tiveram papel fundamental nesta alteração. Conclusão: Através desse estudo pode-se concluir que a articulação que mais afetou a QV dos idosos que apresentam OA, principalmente relacionada à capacidade funcional e a dor. Entre os locais mais acometidos, o joelho e a coluna foram os mais afetados.

Chinese herbal medicine for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease based on syndrome differentiation: a randomized controlled trial

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by its gradual progression. At present, the cause and mechanism of AD are yet unclear, and there is no effective therapy for treating it. With development of global aging, the prevalence rate of AD is increasing. The life quality of elderly people is affected severely by AD that is ultimately life-threatening. Recently, study on treating AD with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has deepened. To explore the therapeutic effects of a syndrome differentiation-based TCM regime in treating patients with mild to moderate AD for improving cognition, and to evaluate the changes in brain function of AD patients observed by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique. Adopting the internationally recognized criteria developed by National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Diseases and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, the clinical trial was conducted on 131 patients with mild to moderate AD from 5 communities and 7 social welfare institutions. Participants were accepted after informed consent was received, and laboratory tests and a head imaging study were conducted. The patients were randomly divided into Chinese medicine group (CMG) (66 cases) or Western medicine group (WMG) (65 cases). Patients in the CMG were treated monthly with Chinese medicine according to syndrome differentiation. Patients in the WMG were treated with donepezil at a dose of 5 mg once daily. The therapeutic course lasted 48 weeks. The scores of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Fuld Object-Memory Evaluation (FOM), Block Design (BD) and Digit Span (DS) were used to evaluate the cognitive function; resting-state fMRI was used for observing brain function. The questionnaires and fMRI were performed before and after treatments. The cognitive functions of the patients in the CMG and WMG were improved after treatment. MMSE score was improved significantly in both groups (P<0.05 or P<0.001). After 48 weeks of treatment, 70.91% patients in the CMG had an improved MMSE score and 20% got worse, however, 55.77% patients in the WMG were improved in MMSE score and 34.62% got worse. Scores of FOM denominator and BD increased significantly in both groups; scores of FOM numerator and DS were also increased in the CMG (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The results of fMRI suggested that both Chinese medicine and donepezil treatment improved the connectivity between posterior cingulated gyrus and specific areas in the brain. The influence range of Chinese medicine primarily impacted on the left parietal lobe, being less than the influence range of donepezil, which primarily affected both sides of frontal lobes. TCM treatment based on syndrome differentiation is effective in improving cognitive function of patients with mild to moderate AD and increasing the brain function by increasing connectivity between posterior cingulated gyrus and specific areas in the brain.

地域在住高齢者のQuality of Life（QOL）と慢性疾患およびその発症との関連性―4年間の縦断調査の結果から―

Chronic illnesses are common among elderly people, and may considerably affect to their quality of life (QOL). We investigated the impact of chronic conditions on QOL among community-dwelling elderly people, and the stability of QOL over time. A total of 2,762 community-dwelling elderly persons (men: 47.0%, age 76.7±5.8 [mean±SD]) completed postal QOL questionnaires twice over 4 years. Chronic illnesses were selected from the following 9 conditions: cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, diabetes mellitus, bone fracture, chronic digestive disease, chronic respiratory disease, and the diseases of joints or muscles. The QOL questionnaire was developed based on the QOL components proposed by Lawton, and consisted of 6 subscales: daily activity, health satisfaction, human support satisfaction, economic state satisfaction, symptoms of depression, and positive mental attitude. The subjects were divided into 3 groups regardless of the presence of chronic illnesses. QOL subscale scores were compared among the 3 groups, and fluctuations over 4 years were also evaluated. The baseline QOL scores showed significant differences among the 3 groups, especially regarding health satisfaction, but not in satisfaction with human support. There were significant differences among the 3 groups in fluctuations over 4 years in health satisfaction, daily activity, and positive mental attitude. Chronic illnesses have a negative impact on the QOL of elderly people, and also influence fluctuations in QOL over time. Degrees of impacts differed according to each QOL subscale. Therefore, evaluation of QOL in community-dwelling elderly needs multi-dimensional assessment.

Brain Senescence and Neuroprotective Dietary Components

Senescence is an ageing process characterized by progressive and irreversible dysfunction of various physio- logical systems. Physiological senescence with advancing age is not a disease, but it affects the life-span and life-quality of elderly people. Brain functions such as cognition and motor skills, as with other organ systems, are impaired in almost all elderly people. Neuroprotective dietary components can play a key role in ensuring healthy ageing of the brain. Al- though the causative mechanisms of senescence are complex and not yet fully elucidated, enhanced oxidative stress is thought to be an important contributor. Dietary antioxidants from fruits and vegetables have preventative effects on oxida- tive stress. Catechin, a polyphenol found in green tea, has a potent antioxidative effect. Recently, catechin has been re- ported to protect against reduced ageing-related cognitive functions such as those associated with learning and memory, and ischemic brain damage. Catechin may act as a neuroprotective agent in progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. The neuroprotective effects and putative mechanisms of action of catechin and other antioxidants are examined and discussed in this review.

Social Capital and Quality of Life in Old Age

The objective of this article is to identify determinants of quality of life (QoL) and investigate their association with individual- and community-level social capital among older people in rural Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study of 1,135 elderly persons (aged >/= 60 years) was conducted in a rural district in Bangladesh. Independent variables included age, sex, education, economic status of the elderly person, and individual- and community-level social capital. Self-rated QoL was the dependent variable. Descriptive analyses were done to show group differences in QoL and logistic regression analyses to identify determinants of QoL. Advanced age, poor household economic status, and low social capital at individual and community levels were significant determinants of poor QoL among the elderly. This population-based study provided empirical evidence that social capital both at individual and community levels was directly associated with the QoL of elderly people in rural Bangladesh.

Role and function: Aspects of quality of life of older people in rural Bangladesh

The aim of this study is to explore the meaning of quality of life (QoL) for elderly people in a rural community in Bangladesh. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 11 elderly persons aged 63–86 years. Interview data were analysed using content analysis to determine the conceptual meaning of elderly peoples' experiences of QoL. Two major themes emerged from the data as being of utmost importance in QoL of elderly people in rural Bangladesh. These were: (i) having a role in the family and the community and (ii) being functional, both physically and economically. Results also showed that elderly people in rural Bangladesh prioritise being healthy, having a good social network, social support and a secure financial situation in order to have good QoL. This study is a step towards a better understanding of QoL experienced by the elderly people themselves in a rural Bangladeshi context.

Vieillissement humain : évolution démographique et implications médicales

French population ageing is constant since 1960. Even if elderly people quality of life keeps on improvement, population ageing leads to increasing consumption of care. Dementia, dependencies, are more frequent, and lead to many diseases, especially through malnutrition. This phenomenon have to be anticipate with global and coordinated agreement of sanitary, medical and psycho-social organization.

Development of elderly diabetes burden scale for elderly patients with diabetes mellitus

Background: The purpose of the present paper was to validate an elderly diabetes burden scale (EDBS) and to assess its correlates in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus.Methods: Comprehensive questionnaires about both diabetes‐specific and non‐specific quality of life (QOL) were given by an interviewer to 455 elderly diabetic patients aged &gt; 65 years. To assess diabetes‐specific QOL, the EDBS was developed. The internal consistency and test–retest reliability of the EDBS were assessed. The validity of the EDBS was assessed with the correlation with the Philadelphia Geriatric Center morale scale, the mini‐mental state examination (MMSE) and diabetic complications, treatment of diabetes, hemoglobin (Hb) A1c, frequency of hypoglycemia, and socioeconomic factors.Results: Factor analysis of the 23 items on EDBS produced six reliable components (Cronbach's α): symptom burden (0.55), dietary restrictions (0.89), social burden (0.89), worry about diabetes (0.85), treatment dissatisfaction (0.85), and burden by tablets or insulin (0.77). It was found that the EDBS and its six subscales had good test–retest reliability (r = 0.94–0.99). However, the EDBS correlated significantly with the morale scale but not with MMSE, suggesting convergent and discriminant validity. The high scores of some subscales and total EDBS were significantly associated with high HbA1c level, frequency of hypoglycemia, and insulin therapy, showing construct validity. Multivariate analyses revealed that hyperglycemia, frequency of hypoglycemia, insulin treatment, the presence of microangiopathy, and low positive social support were independently associated with increased elderly diabetes burden scores.Conclusion: The EDBS is a simple but reliable and valid measure of diabetic‐specific QOL in elderly people with diabetes mellitus.

Conceptualizing quality of life for elderly people with stroke

Purpose : Despite increased interest in quality of life (QOL) as an outcome measure and as a means of identifying client needs in health care, its conceptualisation and the identification of its constituents have been poorly researched for elderly people with stroke in Hong Kong. Method : This article analysed the literature to identify components relevant to the QOL of Chinese elderly people with stroke living in the community in Hong Kong. Results : While common components of QOL for elderly people with and without stroke and regardless of cultural background were identified, a number were specific to an elderly Chinese stroke population. Conclusion : Recommendations for future research have been made with reference to further exploring and validating these components for the target population. A clear understanding of these aspects is essential for the development of sensitive QOL measures to guide and evaluate service delivery to this population.

Self‐perceived quality of life of Chinese elderly people in Hong Kong

AbstractCentral to the philosophy of occupational therapy is a commitment to the improvement of clients' quality of life (QOL). There has been a growing interest in the QOL of elderly people in Hong Kong. Social and cultural differences may preclude the application of QOL findings for elderly people in Western countries to their Hong Kong counterparts. This study, which is the preliminary phase of a larger study, explored the QOL of Chinese elderly people in Hong Kong from their own perspective. Focus group interviews were conducted with six Chinese community‐residing elderly people who identified the following domains and component elements as being important to their QOL: physical and functional well‐being (good health, leisure), psychological well‐being (life satisfaction, happiness), social well‐being (social interaction, social network/support) and economic well‐being (money, housing). Further investigation of factors including self‐concept, self‐pride, personal autonomy, role fulfilment, and coping ability is required to determine if these are QOL elements for this population. Participants' culturally related philosophical beliefs were found to influence their QOL. Copyright © 1998 Whurr Publishers Ltd.