scholarly journals Quality of life of elders in the primary health care in Uberaba, MG

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Gaudenci Nardelli ◽  
Eliana Maria Gaudenci ◽  
Rodrigo Eurípedes Da Silveira ◽  
Álvaro da Silva Santos ◽  
Camila Cristina Neves Romanato Ribeiro ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate social and economic predictors, as well social behavior and its influence on the quality of life of elders who use the primary health care network of Uberaba, Minas Gerais. Methods: Descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional and quantitative study, conducted with 248 60 year old or older subjects, from November 2016 to May 2017. A structured questionnaire was applied to evaluate sociodemographic data, health conditions and life habits as well the WHOQOL-Bref and the WHOQOL-Old. The analysis were conducted through relative frequencies and t-test as well multiple linear regression were used to associate variables. The study was approved by the Committee of Ethics in Researches with Human Beings of the Federal University of the Triângulo Mineiro (CEP/UFTM). Results: Most elders were women, catholic, with 4 years or more of formal education, had partners, a sexually inactive life, and were retired. The linear regression analysis, found a positive and light or moderate association between sexual life and the physical, social, and environmental domains, and the past, present and future activities facet. The educational level variable had a positive and light association with the psychological domain, whereas the variable occupation had a negative and light association with the death and dying facet. Conclusions: The results found show an important social impact regarding the studied population, making it clear that public policies should be created and executed as to offer subsidies for actions which are specifically targeted at the QoL of elders.

Author(s):  
Manal Badrasawi ◽  
May Hamdan ◽  
Mohammad Al Tamimi

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a lifelong metabolic disease with a high rate of mortality and morbidity. Uncontrolled and untreated diabetes results in serious complications that subsequently cause patients’ quality of life (QoL) to deteriorate. Adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD) may relieve the complications of diabetes, thereby improving the quality of life for these patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the QoL of DM patients who adhered to MD. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we examined the QoL and MD data of 106 DM II patients being treated at a primary health care clinic in Hebron. We used the SF-36 questionnaire to measure the patients’ QoL and the MEDAS tool to assess their MD adherence. We also recorded their anthropometric measurements, abdominal obesity, lifestyle habits and blood biochemical results. RESULTS: The sample comprised male and female DM II patients between the ages of 35 and 72, with their mean age being 55.8±10.24. Patients’ QoL scores showed a significant relationship with three BMI categories, i.e., total QoL score, physical function, and pain domains (p <  0.05). In terms of diet, high adherence to MD had a positive impact on all domains and on patients’ total QoL with significant differences in physical functioning, emotional well-being, social functioning and pain domains. CONCLUSION: Patients’ QoL domains were relatively low and highly affected by DM II. Patients with greater MD adherence reported higher scores in all QoL domains. Significantly higher scores were noted for the physical, social and pain domains. Hence, MD is a recommended dietary pattern for DM II patients to achieve a better QoL.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0238137
Author(s):  
Ruth Tsigebrhan ◽  
Abebaw Fekadu ◽  
Girmay Medhin ◽  
Charles R. Newton ◽  
Martin J. Prince ◽  
...  

Background Evidence from high-income countries demonstrates that co-morbid mental disorders in people with epilepsy adversely affect clinical and social outcomes. However, evidence from low-income countries is lacking. The objective of this study was to measure the association between co-morbid mental disorders and quality of life and functioning in people with epilepsy. Methods A facility-based, community ascertained cross-sectional survey was carried out in selected districts of the Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Participants were identified in the community and referred to primary health care (PHC) clinics. Those diagnosed by PHC workers were recruited. Co-morbid mental disorders were measured using a standardised, semi-structured clinical interview administered by mental health professionals. The main outcome, quality of life, was measured using the Quality of Life in Epilepsy questionnaire (QOLIE-10p). The secondary outcome, functional disability, was assessed using the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-2). Results The prevalence of comorbid mental disorders was 13.9%. Comorbid mental disorders were associated with poorer quality of life (Adjusted (Adj.) β -13.27; 95% CI -23.28 to-3.26) and greater disability (multiplier of WHODAS-2 score 1.62; 95% CI 1.05, 2.50) after adjusting for hypothesised confounding factors. Low or very low relative wealth (Adj. β = -12.57, 95% CI -19.94 to-5.20), higher seizure frequency (Adj.β coef. = -1.92, 95% CI -2.83 to -1.02), and poor to intermediate social support (Adj. β coef. = -9.66, 95% CI -16.51 to -2.81) were associated independently with decreased quality of life. Higher seizure frequency (multiplier of WHODAS-2 score 1.11; 95% CI 1.04, 1.19) was associated independently with functional disability. Conclusion Co-morbid mental disorders were associated with poorer quality of life and impairment, independent of level of seizure control. Integrated and comprehensive psychosocial care is required for better health and social outcomes of people with epilepsy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samira Monteiro Silva ◽  
Alfredo Nicodemos Cruz Santana ◽  
Nayhane Nayara Barbosa da Silva ◽  
Maria Rita Carvalho Garbi Novaes

OBJECTIVE: To determine Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13) and WHOQOL-bref cutoff points to detect poor quality of life (QoL) in older individuals. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, performed in all primary health care units in Samambaia, DF, Brazil. The data were collected from August 2016 to May 2017. The sample size of 466 older individuals treated in primary health care was obtained considering a 5% margin of error, 95% confidence level, 50% prevalence, and 20% possible losses, in a population of 13,259 older individuals. The subjects answered the VES-13 and WHOQOL-bref questionnaires. They were divided into 3 subgroups: poorQoL (older individuals with self-reported very poor or poor QoL AND very dissatisfied or dissatisfied with their health), goodQoL (very good or good QoL AND very satisfied or satisfied with Health) and indeterminateQoL (NOT belonging to poorQoL or goodQoL subgroups). A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed with poorQoL (case) versus goodQoL (control) to determine the cutoff score in VES-13 and WHOQOLbref. A diagnostic test using these cutoffs was carried out in all older individuals (n = 466). RESULTS: The VES-13 and WHOQOL-bref cutoff points to detect poorQoL were ≥ 2 and < 60, respectively. The area under ROC curve of VES-13 and WHOQOL-bref was 0.741 (CI95% 0.659- 0.823; p < 0.001) and 0.934 (CI95% 0.881-0.987; p < 0.001), respectively. In diagnostic tests, VES-13 showed 84% sensitivity and 98.2% negative predictive value, and WHOQOL-bref, 88% sensitivity and 99% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: VES-13 score ≥ 2 and WHOQOL-bref score < 60 adequately detected poorQoL in patients treated in primary health care. Our data suggest that older individuals with these scores require special treatment such as geriatrics collaborative care to improve this scenario, considering QoL impact on mortality.


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