Gerber Anthonie Marthinus, Botes Riaan, Mostert Arnelle, Vorster Annelize, Buskens Erik
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
S Afr Med J. 2016 Feb 4;106(3):298-301. doi: 10.7196/SAMJ.2016.v106i3.10171.
An ageing population has become an issue of global importance. According to statistics, the number of people aged ≥60 years will outnumber children <5 years by 2020.
To identify chronic and comorbid diseases that contribute to reduced quality of life (QoL) and functional ability in elderly people living in nursing homes in Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa (SA).
This study used utility- and capability-based questionnaires EQ-6D and a modified ICECAP-O to identify chronic and comorbid diseases that contribute to reduced QoL and functioning in the elderly. An information leaflet was supplied to respondents, along with an informed consent form that each signed and dated. The respondents participated voluntarily and anonymously. Structured interviews were conducted. No algorithm for the EQ-6D or ICECAP-O is available for the SA population. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 was used to perform the sum score calculations. Data were presented using standard descriptive statistics (frequencies, medians, means, standard deviations and standard errors).
The total sample comprised 104 elderly respondents, 72.1% females and 27.9% males (mean age 77 years). Most suffered from at least two of the following diseases: hypertension (68.8%), joint disease (46.2%), heart disease (22.1%), cancer (19.2%) and psychological disorders (18.3%). The EQ-6D indicated that 'pain' (48.3%) and 'mobility' (36.2%) were the domains chiefly affected. Elderly subjects with extreme problems reported all domains to be equally affected, with the exception of 'cognition' (29.1%).
Our results confirm that diseases result in pain and affect mobility and cognition in old age. Access to healthcare and services for older people involves recognition of the importance of health promotion and activities that will help prevent disease, and there should be a focus on maintaining independence, prevention and delay of disease, and disability treatment. This includes improving QoL in elderly people with existing disabilities. Reform of medical care services is essential to improve healthcare for the elderly and thus improve their QoL.
人口老龄化已成为一个具有全球重要性的问题。据统计，到2020年，60岁及以上的人口数量将超过5岁以下儿童。
确定导致南非自由州布隆方丹养老院老年人生活质量（QoL）下降和功能能力降低的慢性疾病和合并症。
本研究使用基于效用和能力的问卷EQ - 6D和改良的ICECAP - O来确定导致老年人生活质量下降和功能障碍的慢性疾病和合并症。向受访者提供了一份信息传单以及一份知情同意书，每位受访者都进行了签名和日期填写。受访者自愿且匿名参与。进行了结构化访谈。南非人群没有适用于EQ - 6D或ICECAP - O的算法。使用社会科学统计软件包第16版进行总分计算。数据采用标准描述性统计（频率、中位数、均值、标准差和标准误差）呈现。
总样本包括104名老年受访者，其中女性占72.1%，男性占27.9%（平均年龄77岁）。大多数人患有以下至少两种疾病：高血压（68.8%）、关节疾病（46.2%）、心脏病（22.1%）、癌症（19.2%）和心理障碍（18.3%）。EQ - 6D表明，“疼痛”（48.3%）和“活动能力”（36.2%）是受影响最主要的领域。存在极端问题的老年受试者报告所有领域均受到同等影响，但“认知”领域除外（29.1%）。
我们的结果证实，疾病会导致疼痛，并影响老年人的活动能力和认知。老年人获得医疗保健和服务需要认识到健康促进以及有助于预防疾病的活动的重要性，并且应注重保持独立性、预防和延缓疾病以及治疗残疾。这包括改善现有残疾老年人的生活质量。医疗服务改革对于改善老年人的医疗保健从而提高他们的生活质量至关重要。
