HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN ELDERLY

Resumo

Introduction: The term health-related quality of life (HRQL) is defined as the value attributed to life, weighted by functional deterioration, as well as to perceptions and social conditions that are induced by the illness, injuries, treatments and the political and economic organization of the care system. Material and Methods: : A cross-sectional, descriptive epidemiological study was carried out, approved by Committee of Ethics and Research with Human Beings of the Catholic University of Don Bosco (UCDB). A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (MOS SF-36), and a Free and Clarified Consent Form were applied to 130 elderly subjects. Results: As to age, an average of 71.6 years (± 7.37) was found. In the aspect of gender, the majority were women, representing 106 participants, corresponding to 81% of the sample. The male population was represented by 24 participants, corresponding to 19% of the total. Regarding to MOS SF-36, the closer to 100 is the mean, the better the HRQoL in that domain. As for functional capacity, the participants had an average of 75.3 and a standard deviation of 20.1; In the physical aspects, an average of 68.5 with a standard deviation of 31.6; Pain obtained an 69.4 average and standard deviation of 20.9, overall health status averaged 73.6 and had a standard deviation of 16.6, vitality achieved an 69.6 average and standard deviation of 15.7, the social aspects had an average of 74.3 and standard deviation of 17.4, the emotional aspects obtained 73.1 as average and 33.8 as standard deviation. At last, mental health obtained and average of 80.9 and standard deviation of 13.6. Discussion and Conclusion: The results found in the MOS SF-36 questionnaire demonstrated that the averages by domain are presented with close values and consequently are classified in very good state of health, given that the only different result is related to the Mental Health domain, with an average that fits the classification of excellent health condition.