Change in quality of life of medically hospitalized patients – A one-year follow-up study

Abstract

Objectives: To examine changes in quality of life (QOL) among elderly medically hospitalized patients one year after hospitalization, and to explore factors associated with the changes.

Methods: A one-year follow-up study included 363 (175 men) medical inpatients with age range 65–98 (mean 80.2, SD 7.5) years. Information was collected at baseline and follow-up using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire assessing the physical, psychological, social and environment domain of QOL as the dependent variable, and the Mini-Mental State Examination, Lawton and Brody's scales for physical self-maintenance and instrumental activities of daily living, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and assistance in living as the independent variables.

Results: The mean score of the physical domain of QOL had increased (mean change 0.6, SD 2.5; p < 0.01); the mean score of the environmental domain had decreased (mean change −2.1, SD 1.2; p < 0.01); and, the mean scores of the psychological and social domains of QOL were unchanged (mean change −0.2, SD 1.8 and mean change −0.1, SD 1.5, respectively) at follow-up. Improved individual QOL at a one-year follow-up was associated with improved health (cognitively, physically and emotionally) after hospitalization, and with health situation at baseline. Being in need of assistance was associated with reduced QOL.

Conclusion: Good cognitive, physical and emotional health at baseline and follow-up were associated with improved QOL in previously hospitalized elderly patients independent of their need for assistance in living.

Keywords:

• activities of daily living
• assistance in living
• baseline health
• cognitive function
• depression
• improved health
• well-being
• WHOQOL-BREF

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by collaboration between the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services and the Innlandet Hospital Trust. The authors thank the research coordinator, Geriatric Nurse Randi H. Skancke for important contributions to the data collection, the Medical Department at the Innlandet Hospital Trust and surrounding municipalities whose collaboration made the research possible, and Elizabeth E. Peacock for a helpful review of the English text.