Sex-Based Differences in the Quality of Life of Elderly Koreans With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

Abstract

In this study, we constructed a structural equation model (SEM) for predicting the quality of life (QOL) in elderly Koreans with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) and examined the differences between sexes. Data were earlier collected in a prior study of 307 participants (101 men and 206 women) with CMP, aged 65 years and above, who used geriatric welfare centers located in two cities. The effects of pain, functional limitation, perceived health status, pain coping, and social support on the QOL were estimated with a multigroup SEM. For both men and women, the results show sequential causality from pain to functional limitation, perceived health status, and QOL. However, the relationships among pain, pain coping, functional limitation, and QOL differ between men and women. The multigroup SEM provides a better understanding of the sex differences in the QOL of elderly with CMP. The results suggest that in order to improve QOL among the elderly with CMP, a customized strategy should be applied that takes into account differences between the sexes.

Assessment of factors affecting quality of life in patients with chronic pain due to knee osteoarthritis and spondylosis: spine <i>versus</i> knee?

“…Moreover, Jeong et al found that functional limitations directly affect QoL more in men compared to women. They attributed this to the fact that men have more social roles than women, especially in Korea (1). Their results are different from those of the present study.…”

“…W ith the increase in the elderly population, the incidence of musculoskeletal diseases is also rising. Often, the spine and knee are affected, causing chronic musculoskeletal pain (1), which leads to disability and affects quality of life (QoL) (2). Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic musculoskeletal pain and remains a significant problem for individuals and societies worldwide due to its increasing prevalence (3).…”

“…Also, knee osteoarthritis was the second most common, with a rate of 13.83% (4). It has been reported that disability caused by osteoarthritis impairs QoL by affecting social life, relationships, and mood (1,5). The World Health Organization defines QoL as "an individual's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns" (6).…”

Turnover intention and coping strategies among older nursing assistants in China: a qualitative study

“…China's aging population ranks first in the world, moreover, the problem of rapid aging in China has attracted global attention (Nie et al, 2021). Aging is further burdened with poverty, disease, disability, service and care limitations (Jeong and Lee, 2020). Currently, there are various modes of old adult care in China, including self-care, family care, institutional care, and community care.…”