Purpose: The quality of life (QOL) in elderly patients with neuro-co-cardiological diseases multimorbidity (NCCD) exhibits distinct features, but there is a scarcity of research in this specialized area. This study seeks to comprehensively assess the QOL of elderly patients with NCCD, employing both the WHOQOL-BREF and SF-36 instruments, while concurrently evaluating the validity and reliability of these two measurement scales.
Methods: The study participants were derived from the Elderly Individuals with Neuro-co-Cardiological Diseases Registered Cohort Study (EINCCDRCS). WHOQOL-BREF and SF-36 were used for QOL assessment. Rasch analysis, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were conducted. Internal consistency, ceiling, and floor effects were also analyzed.
Results: 202 patients from the EINCCDRCS were included in the study. Both scales showed good reliability and validity. SF-36 demonstrated better distribution and targeting compared to WHOQOL-BREF. Some items exhibited potential bias in specific patient groups. However, the 'Role limitations due to emotional problems' component showed suboptimal performance in certain assessments, suggesting its consideration for removal in practical use. Differential item functioning was observed in patients with anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment, highlighting the impact of these conditions on the QOL of elderly NCCD patients.
Conclusions: Both WHOQOL-BREF and SF-36 are effective instruments for assessing QOL in elderly NCCD patients, showing good reliability and validity for both scales. SF-36 generally outperforms WHOQOL-BREF overall. Patients diagnosed with anxiety and depression, as well as cognitive impairment, exhibited differences in QOL assessment. Further attention to these findings can improve QOL assessment and care for this population.
Keywords: Elderly; Multimorbidity; Neuro-co-Cardiological Diseases; Quality of life; SF-36; Whoqol-bref.
Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.