Relationship between the Number of Noncommunicable Diseases and Health-Related Quality of Life in Chinese Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

China has the largest population of older adults, most of whom suffer from one or more noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The harm of the number of NCDs on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of older adults should be taken seriously. A sample of 5166 adults, aged 60 years and older, was included in this study. The Chinese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Old (WHOQOL-OLD) instrument was used to assess the HRQOL. Multiple linear regression models were established to determine the relationship between the number of NCDs and the total score and scores of each dimension of the WHOQOL-OLD scale. After adjusting for confounding factors, suffering from one NCD (B = −0.87, 95% CI = −1.67 to −0.08, p < 0.05), two NCDs (B = −2.89, 95% CI = −3.87 to −1.90, p < 0.001), and three or more NCDs (B = −4.20, 95% CI = −5.36 to −3.05, p < 0.001), all had negative impacts on the HRQOL of older adults. NCDs had significant negative impacts on the HRQOL of older adults, and as the number of NCDs increased, the HRQOL of older adults deteriorated. Therefore, we should pay attention to the prevention and management of NCDs of older adults to prevent the occurrence of multiple NCDs.

Normative and Psychometric Properties of the Whoqol Older Adults Module (Whoqol-Old) in the National Repository

“…The highest dimension score was the intimacy dimension score, which was close to or higher than that obtained in different cultures as well (12,13,16,(19)(20)(21). During the development of WHOQOL-OLD, it is noteworthy that the death and dying dimension score, which is sensitive to different cultures, was lower than most Western cultures but higher than that of Eastern cultures (16,22,23,15). Previous studies have shown that, death is perceived differently in Eastern and Western societies (24).…”

Association of the depressive scores, depressive symptoms, and conversion patterns of depressive symptoms with the risk of new-onset chronic diseases and multimorbidity in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese population

“…3 The incidence of age-related chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, endocrine and metabolic diseases, digestive system diseases, and chronic lung diseases, is significantly increasing, and the incidence of chronic lung diseases is significantly increasing. 4 A recent epidemiological study in the elderly population in China has demonstrated that up to 75.8% of residents over 60 years old suffer from at least one chronic disease. 5 Multimorbidity is common with depression and chronic disorders.…”

Does Economic Support Have an Impact on the Health Status of Elderly Patients With Chronic Diseases in China? - Based on CHARLS (2018) Data Research

“…Chronic diseases of the elderly also present the characteristics of high disability rate and multiple diseases. Diseases affect each other, and the group of elderly suffering from two or more chronic diseases is gradually expanding (12)(13)(14). Numerous studies have also shown that the chronic diseases not only bring damage to the physical health of the elderly, but also affect the mental health of elderly patients with chronic diseases (15,16).…”