Determinants of Quality of Life in Ageing Populations: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study in Finland, Poland and Spain

Abstract

PurposeTo comprehensively identify the determinants of quality of life (QoL) in a population study sample of persons aged 18–50 and 50+.MethodsIn this observational, cross-sectional study, QoL was measured with the WHOQOL-AGE, a brief instrument designed to measure QoL in older adults. Eight hierarchical regression models were performed to identify determinants of QoL. Variables were entered in the following order: Sociodemographic; Health Habits; Chronic Conditions; Health State description; Vision and Hearing; Social Networks; Built Environment. In the final model, significant variables were retained. The final model was re-run using data from the three countries separately.ResultsComplete data were available for 5639 participants, mean age 46.3 (SD 18.4). The final model accounted for 45% of QoL variation and the most relevant contribution was given by sociodemographic data (particularly age, education level and living in Finland: 17.9% explained QoL variation), chronic conditions (particularly depression: 4.6%) and a wide and rich social network (4.6%). Other determinants were presence of disabling pain, learning difficulties and visual problems, and living in usable house that is perceived as non-risky. Some variables were specifically associated to QoL in single countries: age in Poland, alcohol consumption in Spain, angina in Finland, depression in Spain, and self-reported sadness both in Finland and Poland, but not in Spain. Other were commonly associated to QoL: smoking status, bodily aches, being emotionally affected by health problems, good social network and home characteristics.ConclusionsOur results highlight the importance of modifiable determinants of QoL, and provide public health indications that could support concrete actions at country level. In particular, smoking cessation, increasing the level of physical activity, improving social network ties and applying universal design approach to houses and environmental infrastructures could potentially increase QoL of ageing population.

Quality of life and related factors among older people living in rural areas in south-eastern Poland

“…Raggi et al proved that in Poland older age has particularly significant impact on lowering the QOL, while, e.g. in Spain the significant factors resulting in a lowered QOL were depression and alcohol consumption, and in Finland -ischaemic heart disease [18]. The relationship between individual QOL and age seems controversial.…”

“…This is related to a low level of adaptation of an elderly body [23]. Other studies stressed the burden of heath related problems and pain on lowered quality of life of older adults [18]. Analysis of regression by Kumar et al showed a significant impact of musculoskeletal disorders (p ≤ 0.001), poor eyesight (p = 0.049) and hearing impairment (p = 0.001) on QOL [17].…”

Effects of Two-Year Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Elevated Homocysteine Concentrations: Additional Results from the B-PROOF Study, an RCT

“…Analyses were performed without adjustments (crude model), adjusted for age, sex, and study center (Model 1), and additional adjustments for education level, smoking behavior, alcohol consumption, creatinine concentrations, BMI, and MMSE (Model 2). These covariates were added because of their possible influence on both the determinant (Hcy) and the outcomes (depressive symptoms, HR-QoL) [2,41,42]. …”

Social representations of older adults regarding quality of life

“…A cross-sectional study carried out in Finland, Poland, and Spain evaluated the determinants of the quality of life of elderly people, and showed that the practice of physical activity and the establishment of bonds through the insertion of elderly people into social groups are some of the factors that contribute to the increase in quality of life of the aging population (10) . A study carried out in Brazil showed that the elderly did not isolate themselves at home; they sought active insertion into groups in the community, establishing new bonds and friendships (11) .…”