scholarly journals Changes in the Mental Health Status of Frail and Pre-Frail Older Adults Over a 1-year Period

Author(s):  
Claudia K. Y. Lai ◽  
Justina Y. W. Liu ◽  
Daphne S. K. Cheung ◽  
Kenny C. W. Chin ◽  
Mimi M. Y. Tse

Abstract Background This prospective observational study examined changes in the mental health status of frail and pre-frail older adults over a 1-year period, a topic lacking in-depth exploration in the literature. Method Fried Frailty Index was used to differentiate frailty status in participants recruited from community centres and residential care facilities in Hong Kong. Demographic and clinical data were collected using face-to-face interview at baseline and repeated after 12 months. Results Physical functioning, comorbidities, and psychological and environment domains (World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument) impacted the cognitive functioning, depressive symptoms, and sense of loneliness in the sample (N=107). Functional health and vision had a significant impact on cognitive status; depression negatively associated with comorbidity, functional health, and quality of life domains (psychological and environment); loneliness was affected by both age and environment. Conclusion The findings showed that frail and pre-frail older adults have complex needs in relation to their mental health even just over a 1-year period. Intervention programs on frailty that focus on physical aspects will not suffice. Programs for frailty also need to incorporate mental health components to enhance health and wellbeing.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S564-S565
Author(s):  
Charles Seguin ◽  
Nadia Mullen ◽  
Arne Stinchcombe ◽  
Shawn Marshall ◽  
Gary Naglie ◽  
...  

Abstract The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized the importance of age-friendly communities in supporting quality of life for older adults. We aimed to determine the contribution of the age-friendliness of communities to quality of life in a sample of healthy older adults. We used data collected through a longitudinal study on drivers and ex-drivers. We used the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF; WHOQOL Group, 1998) to measure physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. We used the Age-Friendly Survey (AFS; Menec & Nowicki, 2014) to measure 9 domains of participants’ perceptions of community age-friendliness. We estimated 4 multivariable linear regression models. The dependent variables were the 4 domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. Each model had AFS as the focal independent variable and participants’ age, gender, health status, and depression symptoms as control variables. Data from 171 participants were available; mean age was 83.2 years (SD=4.1), 61% were women. Most participants reported a good health status and few depression symptoms. The models explained between 18 and 27% of the variance in WHOQOL scores; community age-friendliness was a statistically significant variable in all models, accounting for 2-3% of the variance. The identification of factors that contribute to quality of life will serve as the foundation upon which policies and interventions to promote successful and healthy aging can be developed. Future work will require consideration of the specific aspects of communities that may affect quality of life the most and that have the most potential for modification.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-Jie Zhao ◽  
Shu-Fang Zhang ◽  
Wen Li ◽  
Ling Zhang ◽  
Teris Cheung ◽  
...  

AbstractClose contacts of those with COVID-19 (CC) may experience distress and long-lasting mental health effects. However, the mental health status and quality of life (QOL) in CC have not been adequately examined. This study examined the mental health status and QOL in CC during the post-COVID-19 period. This cross-sectional study comprised 1169 CC and 1290 who were non-close contacts (non-CC). Demographic data were collected; depression, fatigue, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and QOL were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 items (PHQ-9), fatigue numeric rating scale, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - 17 items (PCL-17), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire - brief version (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. Analysis of covariance was used to compare depressive symptoms, QOL, fatigue, and PTSS between the CC and non-CC groups. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the independent correlates for depression, fatigue, PTSS, and QOL in the CC group. Compared to the non-CC group, the CC group reported significantly more severe depression (F(1, 2458) = 5.58, p = 0.018) and fatigue (F(1, 2458) = 9.22, p = 0.002) in the post-COVID-19 period. No significant differences in PTSS and QOL between the CC and non-CC groups were found (F(1, 2458) = 2.93, p = 0.087 for PTSS; F(1, 2458) = 3.45, p = 0.064 for QOL). In the CC group, younger age, financial loss due to COVID-19, and perception of poor or fair health status were significantly associated with depression and fatigue, while frequent use of mass media was significantly associated with fatigue. In conclusion, close contacts of COVID-19 patients experienced high levels of depression and fatigue in the post-COVID-19 period. Due to the negative effects of depression and fatigue on daily functioning, early detection and timely interventions should be provided to this neglected population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (11) ◽  
pp. 1185-1193

Background: The systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients oftentimes suffer from both physical and psychosocial challenges that may lead to low health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, limited research has been done in this area. Objective: To examined mental health status and HRQoL among SLE patients in Thailand. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted at the rheumatology clinic of four major hospitals in Thailand. The paper-based questionnaire consisted of demographic, health history such as depression, anxiety, stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSE), and the disease-specific Lupus Quality of Life scale (LupusQoL). Depending on the variable’s level of measurement such as categorical or continuous, Spearman’s Rho or Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficients were used to explore the relationships among the variables. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to identify the predictors of LupusQoL. Results: Among the 387 participants, many might have experienced depression, anxiety, and stress (30%, 51%, and 29%, respectively). Self-esteem among the participants was good (31.8 out of 40). All eight domains of LupusQoL were affected with intimate relationship domain being impacted the most. The overall LupusQoL was significantly associated with the number of prescribed medications (r=–0.23), depression (r=–0.70), anxiety (r=–0.58), stress (r=–0.67), and self-esteem (r=0.59), p<0.001. Significant predictors of the overall LupusQoL were mental health status (depression, anxiety, and stress) and self-esteem, F (3, 81)=43.10, p<0.001, adjusted R²=0.60. Conclusion: SLE patients should be holistically assessed in both physical and psychological aspects. In addition to proper medical treatments, healthcare providers should use a multidisciplinary team approach to resolve the patients’ psychosocial issues, which in turn, may increase the patients’ quality of life. Self-care education may be necessary to help the patients manage the condition and decrease the number of medications. Keywords: Mental health, Quality of life, SLE, Thailand


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi MS ◽  
Wongsa L ◽  
Kittipong S

Background: Over the past few decades, Myanmar has faced mass internal migration to seek job opportunities and pursue a better life. Migration gives rise to unambiguous stress and depression. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of depression and to identify the association between socioeconomic disparity and depression among migrant workers in Myanmar. Methods and Materials: Cross-sectional study was done among 1,201 migrants in Yangon Region. To assess the socioeconomic status, mental health status, accessibility of health care service and Quality of Life by developing self–administered questionnaire. The Generalized Linear Mixed Model was applied to determine the association between socioeconomic disparity and depression after adjusting for other covariates. Result: Their average age was 31.44 ±10.31 years. Gender distribution was not much different. About one third of respondents were factory workers and had low level of education. The magnitude of depression was 38.22% (95%CI= 35.50-41.00). Regarding the socioeconomic disparity, adequacy of income (AOR= 1.79, 95%CI: 1.35-2.37, p value<0.001) and floor surface area of the houses (AOR= 1.21, 95%CI: 1.00-1.47, p value><0.001) were strongly associated with depression. Moreover, other factors that were associated with depression were stress, quality of life and burden of medical service cost. Conclusion: Two-fifth of internal migrant workers suffered depression. The findings highlighted to develop intervention aimed to improve mental health status among migrants. In order to achieve the sustainable development goals, it is important to make investment on mental health of the migrant workers.> <0.001) were strongly associated with depression. Moreover, other factors that were associated with depression were stress, quality of life and burden of medical service cost. Conclusion: Two-fifth of internal migrant workers suffered depression. The findings highlighted to develop intervention aimed to improve mental health status among migrants. In order to achieve the sustainable development goals, it is important to make investment on mental health of the migrant workers.


Author(s):  
Robert Brackbill ◽  
Howard Alper ◽  
Patricia Frazier ◽  
Lisa Gargano ◽  
Melanie Jacobson ◽  
...  

Fifteen years after the disaster, the World Trade Center Health Registry (Registry) conducted The Health and Quality of Life Survey (HQoL) assessing physical and mental health status among those who reported sustaining an injury on 11 September 2001 compared with non-injured persons. Summary scores derived from the Short Form-12 served as study outcomes. United States (US) population estimates on the Physical Component Score (PCS-12) and Mental Component Score (MCS-12) were compared with scores from the HQoL and were stratified by Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and injury status. Linear regression models were used to estimate the association between both injury severity and PTSD and PCS-12 and MCS-12 scores. Level of injury severity and PTSD history significantly predicted poorer physical health (mean PCS-12). There was no significant difference between injury severity level and mental health (mean MCS-12). Controlling for other factors, having PTSD symptoms after 9/11 predicted a nearly 10-point difference in mean MCS-12 compared with never having PTSD. Injury severity and PTSD showed additive effects on physical and mental health status. Injury on 9/11 and a PTSD history were each associated with long-term decrements in physical health status. Injury did not predict long-term decrements in one’s mental health status. Although it is unknown whether physical wounds of the injury healed, our results suggest that traumatic injuries appear to have a lasting negative effect on perceived physical functioning.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 655-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasheeda K. Hall ◽  
Michael P. Cary ◽  
Tiffany R. Washington ◽  
Cathleen S. Colón-Emeric

Abstract Purpose Patient priorities for quality of life change with age. We conducted a qualitative study to identify quality of life themes of importance to older adults receiving dialysis and the extent to which these are represented in existing quality of life instruments. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 adults aged ≥ 75 years receiving hemodialysis to elicit participant perspectives on what matters most to them in life. We used framework analysis methodology to process interview transcripts (coding, charting, and mapping), identify major themes, and compare these themes by participant frailty status. We examined for representation of our study’s subthemes in the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-36) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life for Older Adults (WHOQOL-OLD) instruments. Results Among the 12 participants, average age was 81 (4.2) years, 7 African-American, 6 women, and 6 met frailty criteria. We identified two major quality of life themes: (1) having physical well-being (subthemes: being able to do things independently, having symptom control, maintaining physical health, and being alive) and (2) having social support (subthemes: having practical social support, emotional social support, and socialization). Perspectives on the subthemes often varied by frailty status. For example, being alive meant surviving from day-to-day for frail participants, but included a desire for new life experiences for non-frail participants. The majority of the subthemes did not correspond with domains in the KDQOL-36 and WHOQOL-OLD instruments. Conclusion Novel instruments are likely needed to elicit the dominant themes of having physical well-being and having social support identified by older adults receiving dialysis.


2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 390-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia Aparecida Barbosa Silva ◽  
Sônia Maria Soares ◽  
Joseph Fabiano Guimarães Santos ◽  
Líliam Barbosa Silva

OBJECTIVE To propose a cut-off for the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQOL-bref) as a predictor of quality of life in older adults. METHODS Cross-sectional study with 391 older adults registered in the Northwest Health District in Belo Horizonte, MG, Southeastern Brazil, between October 8, 2010 and May 23, 2011. The older adults’ quality of life was measured using the WHOQOL-bref. The analysis was rationalized by outlining two extreme and simultaneous groups according to perceived quality of life and satisfaction with health (quality of life good/satisfactory – good or very good self-reported quality of life and being satisfied or very satisfied with health – G5; and poor/very poor quality of life – poor or very poor self-reported quality of life and feeling dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with health – G6). A Receiver-Operating Characteristic curve (ROC) was created to assess the diagnostic ability of different cut-off points of the WHOQOL-bref. RESULTS ROC curve analysis indicated a critical value 60 as the optimal cut-off point for assessing perceived quality of life and satisfaction with health. The area under the curve was 0.758, with a sensitivity of 76.8% and specificity of 63.8% for a cut-off of ≥ 60 for overall quality of life (G5) and sensitivity 95.0% and specificity of 54.4% for a cut-off of < 60 for overall quality of life (G6). CONCLUSIONS Diagnostic interpretation of the ROC curve revealed that cut-off < 60 for overall quality of life obtained excellent sensitivity and negative predictive value for tracking older adults with probable worse quality of life and dissatisfied with health.


Medicine ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 95 (19) ◽  
pp. e3523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoung In Jung ◽  
Chan Kee Park

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document