Socioeconomic characteristics and quality of life of urban and rural elderly people with heart disease

Abstract

Objective: To compare the socioeconomic variables and quality of life scores (QOL) of elderly residents with heart diseases in urban and rural areas.Method: household survey with 829 urban and 220 rural elderlies. The data were collected using: Brazilian Questionnaire for Functional and Multidimensional Assessment, WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-OLD. The collection in the urban area was from June to December of 2008 and, in the rural area, from June 2010 to March 2011. Chi-square, t-student and multiple linear regression (p <0.05) tests were used.Results: The proportion of women and elderlies with 75 years of age and over was higher in urban areas. Lower scores among urban elderlies physical and social relations were observed, and; facets autonomy, past, present and future activities and intimacy; for the rural elderlies, the environment, sensory abilities, death and dying.Conclusion: the urban elderlies showed a lower QOL score in most areas and facets compared to rural elderlies.

Quality of Life in Heroin Users Attending Substitution Treatment: A Multicenter Study in Italy

“…Our study showed that subjects not using any psychopharmacological treatment, and therefore probably not displaying any comorbid mental disorders, had a significantly better QoL than subjects who did. Indeed, psychiatric drug treatment is an independent 15 (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) p < 0.001…”

“…Female population showed higher GHQ12 scores when compared to male population (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19) vs. 12 [IQ 9 -17], p = 0.03). Similarly, unemployed patients showed higher GHQ12 scores when compared to employed patients (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) vs. [12][13][14][15][16], p < 0.00). Unemployment (OR 2.09, CI 95% 1.5 -3.0, p < 0.00), non-opioid psychopharmacological treatment (OR 1.82, CI 95% 1.3 -2.6, p = 0.00) and substitution therapy with buprenorphine (OR 0.55, CI 95% 0.3 -0.8, p = 0.01) were independent predictors of GHQ-12 >20.…”

“…Also one's own marital satisfaction is a sizeable and significant correlate of life satisfaction, momentary happiness, health and well-being [17] [18]. In studies regarding QoL in relation to residence (urban or rural, urban or suburban), small towns seem to favor a better quality of life [19] [20].…”

“…The median value of GHQ-12 in the study population was 12 (interquartile range [IQ] 9 -18): 640 patients (60.6%) scored <15 which relates with a sufficiently good QoL, 257 (24.3%) scored between 15 -20, and 160 (15.1%) scored >20 points at the GHQ-12, which relates with a bad QoL. Female population showed higher GHQ12 scores when compared to male population (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19) vs. 12 [IQ 9 -17], p = 0.03). Similarly, unemployed patients showed higher GHQ12 scores when compared to employed patients (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) vs. [12][13][14][15][16], p < 0.00).…”

Fatores relacionados à autopercepção do estado de saúde em idosos residentes no meio rural do Brasil

“…Poucos estudos têm se dedicado a pesquisar os possíveis fatores relacionados à saúde de idosos do meio rural, que segundo esses autores, apresenta sinais de dificuldades no acesso aos serviços de saúde [1]. É imprescindível que sejam ampliadas políticas públicas para a melhoria da qualidade de vida na longevidade, para que tanto as sociedades desenvolvidas quanto aquelas em desenvolvimento possam atender de forma mais igualitária os idosos [2].…”