Quality of Life in Elders with Suspected Alzheimer Disease: An Urban Health Centers-Based Study from Iran

Abstract

<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Quality of life (QOL) and Alzheimer disease (AD) among older people have been recognized as public health challenges. Here, we investigated the association between QOL and AD in the elders. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this cross-sectional study, elderly people were selected from urban health centers (Shiraz, Iran) by multistage cluster random sampling and were interviewed using LEIPAD (for QOL) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (for AD) questionnaires. The data was analyzed using Mplus (version 6.12) and IBM SPSS (version 25) software. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The participants consisted of 182 elderly with a mean age of 67 ± 5.05 years, and 95 (52.2%) of them were females. There were 161 (88.5%) and 130 (71.4%) cases educated up to 12 years and married, respectively. Furthermore, 46 (25.3%) had low-to-moderate QOL, and 132 (72.5%) were suspected to have AD. QOL was inversely associated with AD, and men (β = –0.310) were more affected than women (β = –0.290). AD (β = –0.298), age (β = –0.288), hypertension (β = –0.267), education (β = 0.260), and body mass index (β = –0.198) were determinants of QOL. Also, physical activity was indirectly associated with QOL (β = 0.076). AD was correlated with the cognitive functioning component of QOL (<i>r</i> = –0.72). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> One elder out of 4, did not have desirable QOL and 3 elders out of 4 were suspected to have AD. AD can decrease QOL among the older people. Screening of the elders for AD is recommended to improve their QOL by health centers.

The Association between Levels of Physical Activity and Lifestyle, Life Expectancy, and Quality of Life in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

“…This is consistent with the findings of a nationwide cohort study in Korea that included 62,286 participants and found that an increased physical activity level, including a low amount of light-intensity activity, was associated with a lower risk of developing AD [27]. AD was significantly and inversely related to the quality of life, and physical activity and was directly related to age, chronic diseases, and body mass index [7]. In addition, the relationship between quality of life and AD was affected by gender; in men, the quality of life of patients is affected more than women [7].…”

“…Since there is no effective treatment for AD, prevention through lifestyle interventions is critical [6]. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) influences vast aspects of health like physical and mental health, autonomy, social interaction, and the relationship between a subject and their environment [7]. Most patients with AD experience neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive impairment during the course of their illnesses, such as apathy, agitation, and psychosis, which negatively affect their HRQOL [8].…”

Health-related quality of life in migraine and non-migraine elderly using EQ-5D visual analog scale and utility index values

“…To date, many studies have been conducted to investigate the quality of life of the elderly in this republic such as the study of the association between quality of life and Alzheimer's disease. It is found that 1 in 4 elderly in Iran did not have a preferable quality of life [9]. Cognitive decline, higher risk of falls, daytime tiredness, and decreased physical and mental health are some of the factors that may contribute to the low quality of life in this population [10].…”

Is Citicoline Effective in Preventing and Slowing Down Dementia?—A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis

“…MCI and dementia pose significant challenges to patients, caregivers and healthcare systems due to their rising prevalence and socioeconomic burden, with the numbers of people living with dementia worldwide projected to triple to 152 million cases by 2050 [ 17 ]; furthermore, MCI [ 18 ] and dementia [ 19 ] seriously affect the quality of life and well-being of older adults. In the face of this staggering impact on personal and societal health of these conditions, the therapeutic options are somewhat limited [ 11 , 20 , 21 ], and there is a strong interest in potential strategies for prevention and treatment interventions.…”