Authors

1Josefina González Expósito, 2Emilio Pariente Rodrigo, 1Mónica Carbajo Payo, 1Nieves Tresgallo Fernández, 1Esperanza Ruiz Robles

Position

¹Enfermera. Residencia de Mayores de Cueto. Santander, Cantabria.²Médico de Familia. Centro de Salud “José Barros”. Camargo-Interior, España.

Contact address

Residencia de Mayores de Cueto. C/ Arriba, 38. 39012 Santander.

Contact email: epsar@telefonica.net

Abstract

Objective: to describe Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in institutionalised elderly individuals. The correlation between the degree of control of the disease and HRQoL scores has also been a subject of study in diabetic residents.
Method: Design: Cross-sectional study. Information was collected by means of a questionnaire and data collected from a review of each resident’s medical chart.
Participants: 121 residents of both sexes institutionalised in a nursing home, with adequate cognitive function for the purpose of the study.
Results: institutionalised residents present a deteriorated HRQoL (mean VAS 66,8, SD 20,3) in comparison with other studies carried out on elderly people in the general population. 19% report to be in optimal health. Women present worse HRQoL than men, with significant results in the dimensions of “personal care” and “activities of daily life”. A worse HRQoL is found in subjects ≥75 years and contradictory results with regard to weight. Diabetic residents have a worse HRQoL than non-diabetic patients, with significant results regarding “mobility”, “personal care” and “activities of daily life”. In the diabetic population, we have found no differences in terms of HRQoL, depending on the degree of control of the diabetes or type of treatment.
Conclusions: as part of the assessment of the institutionalised elderly person, the assessment of HRQoL allows the identification of impaired health status and the most fragile profiles of our patients. 

Keywords:

health related quality of life; elderly; residents; institutionalized; fragility; Euroqol; Diabetes Mellitusinvestigation

Versión en Español

Título:

Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud del anciano institucionalizado