Vitor Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly: evidence of validity and reliability

Abstract

PurposeTo assess validity and reliability of the Vitor Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly (VITOR QLSE).MethodsA sociodemographic questionnaire, a mental status questionnaire, the VITOR QLSE, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument old module (WHOQOL-OLD), and the Baptista Depression Scale adult version (EBADEP-A) were administered to a non-probabilistic sample of 617 elderly persons living in Brazil. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to reduce the 70 items of the first version of the VITOR QLSE. Construct validity was then evaluated; the VITOR QLSE was tested against the WHOQOL-OLD and EBADEP-A. One hundred and ninety-two randomly selected participants completed the instrument again 7–15 days after the first interview, providing a test–retest reliability estimate.ResultsExploratory factor analysis reduced the 70 items to 48 items grouped into six domains: autonomy and psychological, environment, physical independence, family, health, and social domains. The total explained variance was 39.46 %. Cronbach’s alpha for overall reliability was 0.93 and ranged from 0.79 for health to 0.90 for physical independence. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was 0.76 for test–retest reliability, and 0.56 and −0.57 for the correlation of VITOR QLSE scores with those of the WHOQOL-OLD and EBADEP-A, respectively.ConclusionThe final version of the VITOR QLSE has 48 items grouped into six domains and shows adequate validity and reliability. The rapid aging of the population and reduced number of instruments in the Latin America, and more specifically in Brazil, assessing quality of life in the elderly justify the development of a valid and reliable tool.

Senyvo Amžiaus Pacientų, Patyrusių Ūminį Miokardo Infarktą, Gyvenimo Kokybės Pokyčiai

“…Išnagrinėjus santraukas ir atlikus tekstų analizę, temai nagrinėti atrinkti 25 moksliniai straipsniai, iš kurių vienas nurodo standartizuotą senatvinio silpnumo sindromo apibrėžimą. [8]. Įvairios studijos nurodo, kad po perkutaninės koronarinės intervencijos vyresnio ir jaunesnio amžiaus pacientų su sveikata susijusi gyvenimo kokybė linkusi gerėti beveik vienodai.…”

Sexuality is associated with the quality of life of the elderly!

“…In the past, reaching old age was a limited opportunity, but today population aging is observed even in countries with low economic power (1) . It is estimated that by 2025, Brazil will be ranked sixth in the world in the number of countries with the highest number of elderly people (2) . This is a global phenomenon that encompasses several significant changes in social conformation.…”

“…It consists of a singular phenomenon that comprises endogenous factors and particular events not restricted only to chronological aspects. Thus, aging has become a central guideline in the development of public policies, in which it is considered the indispensability of implementing actions that improve the health, well-being and quality of life (QL) of the elderly (2) .…”

“…It is a subjective construct of well-being (4) . One of the efficient strategies to achieve a healthy and active life is to create plans for the improvement of the QL of the elderly and strengthening their function in the community (14) , because the best QL is expected to promote greater chances of a longer and healthier life, with less possibility of developing pathological processes (2) . Thus, our hypothesis is that the experience of sexuality is associated with the QL of the elderly.…”

Quality of Life and Clinical-Epidemiologic Profile of Clinical Infirmary Patients

“…Defining quality of life is a subject of concern originated from human sciences, namely in the domains of Biology, Humanities and Sociology, as an attempt to consider other parameters other than high life expectancy and mortality reduction [1]. The inherent subjectivity, various approaches and assessment methods of that subject make it difficult to describe in detail [2].…”