[Quality of life in noninstitutionalized persons older than 65 years in two health care districts in Madrid]

Aten Primaria. 2003 Mar 31;31(5):285-92; discussion 293-4. doi: 10.1016/s0212-6567(03)79180-x.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Aim: To describe self-perceived health status and quality of life in noninstitutionalized persons older than 65 years in two health care districts in Madrid (central Spain).

Design: Descriptive study based on home interviews by investigators trained in the administration of the questionnaires.

Setting: Health care districts 2 and 4 in Madrid; community level.

Participants: Of a sample of 2002 persons older than 65 years residing in private homes, we obtained 911 valid questionnaires.

Main measures: Description and stratification by age group and sex, for sociodemographic variables, economic resources, social and familial support, physical and mental health, functional capacity and results on the EuroQol and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) questionnaires.

Results: Mean age, 74.7 years (95% CI, 74.3%75.1%); women, 59.7% (95% CI, 56.4%-62.9%); no formal education, 41% (95% CI, 37.7%-44.2%); social classes I and II, 38.3% (95% CI, 35.1%-41.6%). Self-perceived health status good or very good, 52.1% (95% CI, 48.8%-55.4%), 57.5% (95% CI, 52.2%-62.6%) in men and 48.4% (95% CI, 44.2%-52.7%) in women. Mean scores on the NHP were: energy, 21.1 (95% CI, 18.9%23.2%); pain, 25.6 (95% CI, 23.6%27.6%); physical mobility, 28 (95% CI, 26.4%29.7%); sleep, 31.8 (95% CI, 29.4%34.1%); emotional reaction, 24.5 (95% CI, 22.8%26.3%); social isolation, 10.9 (95% CI, 9.6%12.1%). The percentages of persons with problems according to the EuroQol instrument were: mobility, 21.3% (95% CI, 18.7%-24.1%); self-care, 7.7% (95% CI, 6.1%-9.7%); usual activities, 19.9% (95% CI, 17.4%-22.7%); pain/discomfort, 38.2% (95% CI, 35%-41.4%); anxiety/depression, 27% (95% CI, 24.1%-30%). Both the NHP and the EuroQol instrument identified more problems in women than in men, and in persons older than 80 years compared to persons younger than 80 years.

Conclusions: Women had a worse perceived health status and quality of life than men. Persons older than 80 years scored worse on the NHP and the EuroQol, but did not perceive their health status to be worse.

Objetivo: Describir el estado de salud autopercibido y la calidad de vida en los mayores de 65 años no institucionalizados residentes en dos áreas sanitarias de Madrid.

Diseño: Estudio descriptivo mediante encuesta administrada a domicilio por entrevistadores.

Emplazamiento: Áreas sanitarias 2 y 4 de Madrid, nivel comunitario.

Participantes: De una muestra de 2.002 personas mayores de 65 años residentes en domicilios particulares se obtuvieron 911 encuestas válidas.

Mediciones principales: Descripción, estratificando por grupo de edad y sexo, de variables sociodemográficas, recursos económicos, apoyo sociofamiliar, salud física y mental, capacidad funcional y cuestionarios Euroqol y Perfil de Salud de Nottingham (PSN).

Resultados: Edad media, 74,7 años (IC del 95%, 74,3–75,1%); mujeres, 59,7% (IC del 95%, 56,4–62,9%); sin estudios, 41% (IC del 95%, 37,7–44,2%); clases sociales I y II, 38,3% (IC del 95%, 35,1–41,6%). Percibían su estado de salud como bueno o muy bueno, 52,1% (IC del 95%, 48,8–55,4%), 57,5% (IC del 95%, 52,2–62,6%) de varones y 48,4% (IC del 95%, 44,2–52,7%) de mujeres. Las puntuaciones medias en el PSN fueron, energía = 21,1 (IC del 95%, 18,9–23,2%); dolor = 25,6 (IC del 95%, 23,6–27,6%); movilidad física = 28 (IC del 95%, 26,4–29,7%); sueño = 31,8 (IC del 95%, 29,4–34,1%); reacción emocional = 24,5 (IC del 95%, 22,8–26,3%); aislamiento social = 10,9 (IC del 95%, 9,6–12,1%). Los porcentajes de personas con problemas en el Euroqol fueron, movilidad, 21,3% (IC del 95%, 18,7–24,1%); cuidado personal, 7,7% (IC del 95%, 6,1–9,7%); actividades cotidianas, 19,9% (IC del 95%, 17,4–22,7%); dolor/malestar, 38,2% (IC del 95%, 35–41,4%); ansiedad/depresión, 27% (IC del 95%, 24,1–30%). Tanto en el PSN como en el Euroqol las mujeres presentaron más problemas que los varones, y los mayores de 80 años que los menores. Conclusiones. Las mujeres muestran una percepción peor de su estado de salud y su calidad de vida que los varones. Los mayores de 80 años tienen peores puntuaciones en el PSN y en el Euroqol, pero no perciben su estado de salud como peor.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Geriatric Assessment / methods*
  • Geriatric Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Status*
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Primary Health Care
  • Quality of Life*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires