China has the largest population of older adults, most of whom suffer from one or more noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The harm of the number of NCDs on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of older adults should be taken seriously. A sample of 5166 adults, aged 60 years and older, was included in this study. The Chinese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Old (WHOQOL-OLD) instrument was used to assess the HRQOL. Multiple linear regression models were established to determine the relationship between the number of NCDs and the total score and scores of each dimension of the WHOQOL-OLD scale. After adjusting for confounding factors, suffering from one NCD (B = -0.87, 95% CI = -1.67 to -0.08, p < 0.05), two NCDs (B = -2.89, 95% CI = -3.87 to -1.90, p < 0.001), and three or more NCDs (B = -4.20, 95% CI = -5.36 to -3.05, p < 0.001), all had negative impacts on the HRQOL of older adults. NCDs had significant negative impacts on the HRQOL of older adults, and as the number of NCDs increased, the HRQOL of older adults deteriorated. Therefore, we should pay attention to the prevention and management of NCDs of older adults to prevent the occurrence of multiple NCDs.
Keywords: Chinese older adults; health-related quality of life; noncommunicable diseases.